The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has intensified nationwide mobilisation ahead of Tuesday’s Local Council I (LC1) chairperson elections, urging its leaders and supporters to turn out in large numbers and vote for the party’s candidates.
Addressing journalists on Monday, NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi said the ruling party has fielded candidates in all 71,240 villages and is confident of securing another commanding victory following what it described as a strong showing in the Women Council Committee elections held on July 25.
“Tomorrow, all NRM people who belong to different villages of Uganda must go to their villages and vote for our flag bearers,” Odoi said.
According to Odoi, the NRM won 326,248 positions, representing 91.6 percent, in the Women Council Committee elections. Independents secured 20,819 positions, or 5.8 percent, while other political parties won 8,748 positions, representing 2.5 percent.
He added that 119,341 positions, equivalent to 33.6 percent of the total, were won unopposed.
Odoi said the outcome had strengthened the party’s confidence ahead of the LC1 elections, which he described as critical to consolidating the NRM’s grassroots structures.
“Like we swept the women election with 91.6, we want to sweep the LC1 with over 92. Because that’s the base of our party. That’s the foundation of the mass party,” he said.
He called on members of the party’s Central Executive Committee, Members of Parliament, local government leaders, party leagues and supporters to put aside internal differences and mobilise behind official party candidates.
Odoi also reminded voters that Tuesday has been declared a public holiday to facilitate participation in the elections and urged eligible voters to report to their respective villages before voting commences in line with the Electoral Commission’s guidelines.
He warned party members against campaigning against official NRM flag bearers or supporting rival candidates.
“Party leaders and members are warned against standing against party flag bearers and must restrain themselves from campaigning against the flag bearers during these elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, Odoi announced that the NRM Electoral Commission will conduct internal elections for LC2 chairpersons and Parish Women Council Committees on July 31.
He said the elections will be conducted through an electoral college system, with only eligible NRM members from the relevant village structures permitted to vote and contest.
Ugandans will vote in the LC1 elections on Tuesday using the Electoral Commission’s lining-up voting system.
