EC warns LC1 chairpersons-elect against exercising powers before swearing-in
"No one should transact official village business, including land matters, until the duly elected leaders are sworn in," he emphasized.
Masindi: The Electoral Commission has cautioned newly elected LC1 Chairpersons against conducting any official business before they are formally sworn in and handed the instruments of power.
Masindi District Electoral Commission Returning Officer Gastervus Kakaire said the recently elected village and cell chairpersons have not yet assumed office and therefore have no legal mandate to transact official business.
“The elected LC1 Chairpersons have not yet been sworn in or handed the instruments of power. Until that process is completed, they have no authority to conduct official business,” Kakaire said.
Kakaire explained that the directive also applies to former chairpersons who did not seek re-election, those who lost the polls, and those who were elected, noting that none of them should handle official matters such as land-related transactions before the swearing-in.
“No one should transact official village business, including land matters, until the duly elected leaders are sworn in,” he emphasized.
He acknowledged that there is currently a temporary leadership vacuum at the village level but assured residents that it would soon be resolved.
According to Kakaire, the swearing-in ceremonies will be organised by Town Clerks and Chief Administrative Officers, who will also hand over the instruments of power to the elected LC1 Chairpersons.
“We ask all leaders-elect to remain patient as the responsible authorities finalize the swearing-in process,” he added.
Kakaire said the Electoral Commission is continuing to implement the Local Council electoral roadmap following the completion of LC1 elections and the ongoing Parish Women Council elections.
He announced that LC2 elections will be held on Monday, with voting conducted through the traditional lining-up method behind candidates.
Meanwhile, elections for Women Councils will proceed at the sub-county, district and national levels.
At the district level, Kakaire said elections will be conducted using ballot papers by elected committee members or electoral colleges, after which the Electoral College lists will be forwarded to the national level to participate in the national council elections.
The Electoral Commission has urged all newly elected leaders to wait until they are officially sworn in before exercising any authority, warning that any transactions conducted beforehand will have no legal standing.
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