The Insight Post Uganda
Kampala – Uganda
The Electoral Commission (EC) has recently unveiled the schedule for the by-election to fill the vacant Member of Parliament seat for Oyam County North in Oyam District, Uganda.
The need for this by-election arises from the unfortunate passing of Col (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola, the State Minister for Labour and MP for Oyam North. Col Engola’s tragic demise occurred just a month ago when he was fatally shot by his bodyguard at his residence in Kyanja, a prestigious suburb.
Now, the EC is taking steps to conduct the by-election and has outlined a comprehensive plan for the process.
According to Paul Bukenya, the spokesperson for the Electoral Commission, the first step in this process is the updating of the National Voters’ Register, which is scheduled to take place from Thursday, May 18th, to Monday, May 22nd, 2023.
This updating phase will occur at specific stations located in each of the 39 parishes and wards within the Oyam County North Constituency.
accordingly, it is essential to ensure that the voters’ register accurately reflects the eligible voters within the constituency and that it is up to date before the by-election takes place.
The release of the by-election program indicates the EC’s commitment to maintaining a democratic process and allowing the constituents of Oyam County North to elect their new representative.
Following the voter registration update, the EC will continue with other necessary steps, including the nomination of candidates, campaign periods, and eventually, the voting process itself.
Through these measures, the EC aims to facilitate a fair and transparent by-election that upholds the principles of democracy and enables the constituents to exercise their right to choose a new Member of Parliament who will represent their interests and aspirations.
The Commission has further set Monday 22nd May 2023 as the cut-off date for applying for registration as a voter and for transfer of voting location in Oyam County North. It further highlights that the registration and transfer of voters from one polling station to another will not take place after Monday 22nd May 2023.
Regarding the exhibition of the Voters’ Register, Bukenya has stated that it will take place over a span of 10 days, specifically from Tuesday, May 30th, to Thursday, June 8th, 2023, at all 167 polling stations within Oyam County North.
Furthermore, the exhibition of Parish Tribunal Recommendations for the removal or addition of names on the Voters’ Register will occur for a duration of six days, starting from Thursday, June 8th, and concluding on Tuesday, June 13th, 2023, at the respective Parish/Ward Headquarters.
As outlined in the program, the nomination of candidates will be held on Monday, June 19th, and Tuesday, June 20th, 2023, at the Office of the District Returning Officer in Oyam.
“From Thursday, June 22nd, to Tuesday, July 4th, 2023, the nominated candidates will actively engage in campaign meetings that span a period of 13 days,” Bukenya empasises.
The polling and tallying of results for the by-election of the Directly-elected Member of Parliament will take place on Thursday, July 6th, 2023. This process will be conducted at all polling stations within the Oyam County North Constituency, situated in Oyam District.
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