By Jimmy Muhumuza.
Parliament.
This has been revealed by the chairperson of the electoral commission Simon Byabakama while leading a team from the commission to present the entity budget of 121.4 billion shillings for the next financial year.
Byabakama informed MPs that they need 90.6 billion shillings to carry out the elections but the ministry of finance has only provided them with 36.15 billion shillings.
Byabakama says that they plan to conduct the LC one elections before August next year and one of the activities they will have to take include coming up with village voters register and ascertaining the number of villages in the country.
Byabakama also says that the elections will be held using the lining up mode that was used last time unless parliament amends the laws.
The Kira municipality mp Ibrahim Semujju Nganda tasked the commission to explain the exact dates they plan to hold the elections and explain what will happen if they do not take place.
The Bunyole East Mutembuli Yusuf also Semujju’s question saying that its important to understand the date these elections will be held.
The oyam woman mp Santa Alum asked the commission to clearly state how much will be spent on Local council elections and women councils.
Byabakama in response noted the current term of LCone chairpersons will end in August 2023 and in order not to create a vacuum elections will have to be held Latest July 2023.
Byabakama has also informed that they will require 45 billion shillings to transfer to political parties in the next financial year but says that this money has not been provided for.
The Bujiri municipality mp Asuman Basalirwa asked the commission on whether the money will be distributed equally given that last time it was distributed depending on the numerical strength of parties.
He says that the commission is going to decide on how to transfer the money to political parties.
Byabakama has also defended the decision not to budget for by-elections saying that it’s impossible to anticipate the number of leaders who will die or those whose elections the court of appeal will nullify.
