Dokolo, Uganda:
The By-Election roadmap of Dokolo district was launched on Monday, February 12, 2024, at the Dokolo Technical Institute by Justice Simon Byabakama, accompanied by all the newly appointed Commission team members of the Independent Electoral Commission.
“Dokolo Woman MP By-election campaign will be conducted for only seven days (one week),” says EC Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama as he introduced Erikwaine Gobbi as the Electoral Commission Registrar for Dokolo district and called upon the Wanahinci to participate in the by-election peacefully.
Paul Bukenya, the Spokesperson of the Electoral Commission, appreciated and congratulated the stakeholders for turning up in great numbers for the launch of the Dokolo by-election roadmap. While addressing the gathering at The Dokolo Technical Institute hall in Dokolo town council on Monday, Justice Simon Byabakama said, “On behalf of the Commission, I would like to extend our appreciation to the people of Dokolo district for turning up in great numbers. We are here to discuss the forthcoming by-elections for the woman MP Dokolo which fell vacant when the woman MP Atim Cecilia Ogwal (RIP) died,” saying, “as stakeholders, we appeal for your mobilization of the voters. The successful exercise will depend on your participation,” added Byabakama.
The timeframe for conducting the election is 60 days as stipulated by the law, and as of now, the campaign period shall run for only one week. The by-election will be conducted before March 24, 2024. Vacancies for sub-counties like ‘Adagmon,’ where the previous councilor passed on, the older person position in Bata Sub-county, and the position of (male) youth who resigned among others, shall also be included in the By-election. Others are Agoga parish in Kwera sub-county, in Akwenyang, a councilor position fell vacant also in Kwera, and the older person position in Kwera sub-county is also on the list, which also fell vacant.
The commission has commenced with the roadmap/timeframe of updating the voters’ register in the district of Dokolo for all the 173 polling stations. However, the display of the voters’ register will take place from February 21 up to Friday, March 1, 2024. Later, the Commission will provide voter location slips beginning from March 13, 2024.
Nomination of candidates will be conducted on March 11, 2024, and March 12, 2024, at the Electoral Commission office Dokolo, and from March 13 to 19, there will be a one-week campaign of all aspiring candidates vying for the woman MP seat. According to Justice Byabakama, all persons should comply with the election guidelines as all campaigns must end within 48 hours before the date of the election. Woman MP seat voting will be conducted on March 21, 2024.
In conclusion, the Commission pledges total commitment while conducting the election. “You have heard people complaining that the elections are not free and fair for whatever reasons they are, but the only solution is that stakeholders act within the law,” Byabakama said. He cautioned the responsible people to be on the watch in order to have a peaceful election. “I want to assure you that we shall work with all the stakeholders.” Close to 1000 stakeholders attended the engagement meeting with the team of National Electoral Commission at Dokolo Technical Institute on Monday, February 12, 2024.
