Electoral Commission asked to rectify errors before elections
He also stressed that due to the distance between polling stations, inaccessible roads, and limited time for voting, this has also affected them.
Masindi: A section of residents in Masindi district have asked the Electoral Commission to rectify errors in voter registration books before the 2026 elections commence.
The call was made during civic education on strengthening citizens in elections organized by the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) held recently in different sub counties in the district.
The electorates cited some of the challenges, including missing voters in registration, delays in delivering election materials to polling stations, and a lack of national identity cards, among others.
Gerald Abange, the youth chairperson for Kapeeka Parish, stressed that most youth miss voting due to the lack of national identity cards.
He therefore asked NIRA to consider extending services closer to the community since youth don’t know where their offices are located.
Samuel Mungukende, chairperson for PWDs in Kapeeka, stressed that, as PWDs, they are not supported during the elections, mostly in terms of mobility since some of the polling stations are distant.
He therefore asked the Electoral Commission to give special consideration to PWDs in the forthcoming elections.
Sapline Balyebuga, the LC3 Chairperson for Kabango Town Council, said that due to some electorates missing in the voter register, it impacts their results since some of their supporters miss voting.
He also stressed that due to the distance between polling stations, inaccessible roads, and limited time for voting, this has also affected them.
Balyebuga therefore asked the electoral commission to consider extending polling stations nearer to the electorate and government to rehabilitate roads before elections.
Bosco Onek, a staff member at Community Driven Network (CODNET), challenged the CSO’s, CDO’s, and religious leaders to mobilize voters and those interested in contesting to position themselves in time.
Evarist Twinomujuni, the Masindi district Electoral Commission returning officer, acknowledged that they have had issues during elections, such as late delivery of voting materials and voters missing in registration, among others.
He, however, said they will rectify the challenges before the 2026 elections.
Emmy Ngabirano, the resident district commissioner for Masindi, challenged the voters to desist from being bribed and vote for the leaders of their choice for smooth service delivery.
LC1 elections
On the other hand, voters are asking the government, through the electoral commission, to consider conducting the elections of local councils one (LC1) and two (LC2) within the shortest time possible.
Abel Abitekaniza, a resident of Kisindi village, stressed that most area chairpersons are exhausted; some LC1 committee members shifted to other areas, not working for people, whereas some are failing to account for 25% of the funds from the government.
Beatrice Birungi, a resident of the same area, decried that some beneficiaries are missing out on government programs because some LC1 chairpersons are no longer delivering services and thus questioned the election of other leaders, yet area chairpersons are crucial in implementing government programs.
Ronald Byabasaija, LC1 Chairperson for Pakanyi village, and Godfrey Ogen, LC1 Chairperson for Katumba village, also echoed the need for the electoral commission to consider conducting LC1 and 2 elections, saying some are exhausted whereas others want to contest on other posts.
Abubakur Lubwama, the Assistant Returning Officer at the Electoral Commission, Masindi Branch, clarified that though the term for the LC1 Chairpersons elapsed, the current LC1 Chairpersons have a legal mandate to continue working until the government announces dates for their elections.
He also clarified that the LC1 elections were delayed due to funds, but they are yet to be instructed by the government.
Gilbert Wandera, the Pakanyi Sub County Civic Mentor at FOWODE, said that they organize such trainings to remind the voters of their rights to vote and share their experiences with concerned stakeholders.
He disclosed that such trainings aim at mobilizing communities to turn up in large numbers for the 2026 elections.
Bosco Onek, working with Community Driven Network (CODNET), however, asked the government to consider funding the Civil Society Organization, the Electoral Commission, the Human Rights Commission, and others to train and mobilize communities on why they should participate in elections.
The objective of these meetings was to increase citizens’ participation in legal, constitutional, and political processes and promote a peaceful democratic transition.
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