Millions of Ugandans have this morning gone to polls to elect new Local council leaders after 15 years of waiting.
In an election that saw tens of thousands of voters miss out due to failure by electoral officials to locate their names in registers, people voted by lining behind their favorite candidates, as opposed to the usual secret ballot system in other elections.
While the rest of the country is voting, residents of Ganda in Nansana Municipality and Apaa Electoral Area in Adjumani district will not elect new leaders today.
According to an announcement from the Electoral Commission, elections of Village Local Council Chairperson in Ganda Village, Kyebando Parish In Wakiso Sub County, that had been scheduled for Tuesday, 10th July 2018 have been postponed to a yet to be revealed date. The
postponement follows the unfortunate death of one of the nominated candidates for LC 1 Chairperson, the late Kizza David which occurred on 8th July 2018.
“A new date will be communicated in due cause; and all inconveniences caused to the concerned parties are regretted” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission has de-gazetted Apaa Electoral Area located in Mungula Parish, Itirikwa Sub County, Adjumani District.
According to the EC, it shall not hold elections for Chairpersons of Village Local Councils in Apaa today Tuesday, 10th July, 2018, as earlier scheduled due to the de-gazettement.
“The de-gazettement of the electoral area and cancellation of the elections follows official communication from the Ministry of Local Government that the electoral area falls within Zoka National Forestry Reserve and Madi Wildlife Reserve and hence is not open to human settlement” the statement reads.
Uganda has 60,801 villages.
According the Chairperson, Electoral Commission, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, the election of the Village (LC I) Chairperson is by the voters lining behind the nominated candidates or their representatives, or their portraits or symbols, in accordance with Section 111(2) of the Local Government Act CAP 243 (as amended).
