Following a proposal by the Central Executive Committee (CEC), of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party that internal elections will be held by way of lining up behind candidates, the NRM Spokesperson Rogers Mulindwa has explained that the move is aimed at correcting some issues associated with voting using the ballot.
The decision will now be introduced to members and other NRM organs for the amendment of the Party Constitution before it’s enforced.
The decision was reached at the opening of a 5-day retreat of the CEC at Chobe Safari Lodge, Nwoya district on Saturday.
The CEC retreat is being held under the theme “Building on solid Achievements, Consolidating the Unity of the NRM and the Transformation of the Wanainchi towards Achieving Vision 2040”.
According to Mulindwa, lining up is aimed at reducing the cost of conducting internal elections. Mulindwa explained that President Yoweri Museveni, the NRM Party Chairman equally agreed that lining up will reduce commercialization of the electoral process and promote self-evaluation.
Below is Mulindwa’s full statement on the proposal
Last year’s LCI and Women Council Elections where the mode of lining-up was applied, had very many positive aspects related to cost reduction, fewer disputes, and transparency. Learning from such experiences, the NRM Party leadership proposes to its members the same mode that comes with a number of advantages, some of which are listed below.
LEGAL JUSTIFICATION
1. Conforms with the Local Govt Act Cap 243.
2. Minimizes petitions.
3. Simplifies the management of petitions as voters possess vivid recollection of events.
ECONOMIC JUSTIFICATIONS
1. Reduces costs of election management as NO ballot papers, ballot boxes, indelible ink… etc are required.
POLITICAL JUSTIFICATION
1. It will minimize the number of independents due to its transparency.
2. Reduces bribery & commercialization of elections.
3. Minimizes infiltration by non-party members who carry sinister motives.
4. It will encourage participation.
ADMINISTRATIVE JUSTIFICATION
1. Reduces bureaucracy & tampering with electoral materials.
2. Cures Postponement of elections.
3. Cures ballot stuffing
4. Eases voter identification.
5. Reduces grounds for disputes or petitions.
The Party Secretariat under the headship of the Secretary-General Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba will soon release a detailed program for the District Conferences to further consider the proposal. *During such meetings more advantages of the same will be discussed.*
Rogers Mulindwa
SENIOR MANAGER – Information, Communications & Public Relations