Analysis
EC calls for public cooperation ahead of 2021 polls
The Secretary of the Electoral Commission (EC), Sam Rwakojo, has called on the public to co-operate and support it activities ahead of the 2021 Elections.
Addressing the press during the exhibition of government agencies in Kampala on Wednesday this week, Rwakojo revealed that the EC and the public need to work with one another to ensure successful elections.”I call upon the public to support the Commission through registering as citizens, checking their names on the voters’ registry, informing us whoever has died and the location of different polling stations,” he said
Rwakojo also reminded the public to know values of their votes. “The elections process is extremely an important process, I want to appeal to the public to always value their votes through registering and casting it in the ballot box at a free cost because the little you are paid for that vote will not provide you with the services,” he said, adding, “Register, keep it as peaceful as possible because violence cannot work in choosing the leaders that you want”.
In December last year, the EC launched a roadmap to be followed in the 2021 General Elections. It is slated to cost UGX 868 bn.
During the unveiling, Rwakojo revealed that the figures rose due to increment in the districts. In 2021 elections, there will be 141 districts compared to 112 in 2016. This will be from 1,398 sub- counties in 2016 to 2,000 in 2021 with a total of 3,500 polling stations countrywide.
Rwakojo said that EC is expecting to get UGX 155 bn before the end of this financial year. “We shall receive the remaining balance in the coming financial year, and once the Commission receives the funds, we shall begin with buying machines and procuring services,” he said.