The Electoral Commission (EC) has assured the public of its readiness to conduct the highly anticipated Kawempe North by-election tomorrow. During a pre-poll stakeholders’ meeting held at the College of Public Health, Makerere University—also designated as the tally center the EC Chairman, Justice Simon Byabakama, expressed confidence in the commission’s preparations.
Justice Byabakama emphasized that the commission has put all necessary measures in place to ensure a smooth electoral process. He stated that polling materials would be delivered to all designated polling stations by 6:00 am, and voting would commence promptly at 7:00 am, running until 4:00 pm. The chairman reiterated that all officials involved have been adequately trained and briefed on their roles and responsibilities.
“We are more than ready for tomorrow’s by-election. We have deployed adequately and ensured that every polling station will have the required materials on time,” Byabakama asserted.
Security agencies have also affirmed their readiness to maintain peace and order throughout the electoral process. They reassured the public that adequate security personnel would be deployed to all polling centers and strategic points within the constituency to deter any form of violence or disruptions.
Despite the EC’s assurances, concerns have been raised by some candidates regarding alleged election malpractices. Notably, Erias Nalukoola, the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, alleged that his team had uncovered a case of ballot pre-ticking in favor of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate. Nalukoola claimed that NUP members had stormed a house in Namere Village, where they allegedly found individuals pre-ticking ballot papers.
In response to these allegations, Justice Byabakama urged candidates and their representatives to provide credible evidence to substantiate their claims. He emphasized that mere accusations without proof could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
“We call upon anyone with evidence of electoral malpractices to bring it forward. The commission is committed to investigating any credible allegations to ensure a free and fair election,” Byabakama stated.
Justice Byabakama also appealed to the electorate and candidates to maintain calm and cooperate with security personnel. He noted that while the commission has done its part to ensure a transparent process, candidates and their supporters should also act responsibly.
The Kawempe North by-election has attracted significant attention due to its political implications and the heightened competition among candidates. As the final preparations are completed, all eyes will be on the EC to see how well they manage the process and address emerging concerns.
With the commission and security agencies declaring their readiness, Ugandans remain hopeful that the by-election will proceed without incident, ensuring that the will of the people prevails.
