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Election Date Could Change
New Vision (Kampala)
September 15, 2005
By Hamis Kaheru
Kampala
CABINET yesterday discussed a proposal to split next year's general elections so that presidential and parliamentary elections are separated from local government elections.
The proposal, presented by Electoral Commission (EC) chairman Dr. Badru Kiggundu also seeks to extend the deadline for all elections beyond March 12, 2006.
EC said it was impossible to hold all elections before March 12, 2006, or to have presidential, parliamentary and LC5 elections on the same day, as announced by justice and constitutional affairs minister Dr. Khiddu Makubuya recently.
"Practically, it is not possible to hold all elections before March 12 because they are very many yet time and logistics may not allow," a source said.
"If you are to hold presidential, parliamentary and LC5 elections on the same day, and conclude all elections before March 12, you must have elections of lower Local Councils (LC1-LC3) much earlier. This is not possible," the source said.
EC has asked the Cabinet to allow it hold presidential and parliamentary elections (including women MPs) on the same day before or on March 12 and to delay local government elections (including LC5).
"The current position is that we hold elections of the president, MPs representing constituencies, women district representatives and LC5 chairpersons on the same day. We cannot hold four elections in one," the source said.
"In passing the law, Parliament did not consider the practical element and the requirements of time, money and other logistical issues," the source added.
The commission is also disturbed by the provision in the Constitution (Amendment) Bill No.3 that requires civil servants who wish to contest for parliamentary seats to resign 90 days before nomination.
"We are not in position to announce nomination day and 90 days before the possible date is a few weeks from now. Besides, resigning is a process, not an event," the source said.
The proposal means that the Constitution (Amendment) Bill No.3 will come back to Parliament for amendment before the President assents to it.
EC member Joseph Bilibonwa yesterday said the commission could not announce dates or any other arrangements regarding elections before the Bill is assented to.
"I am sure there shall be some relaxations, " he said.
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