The Electoral Commission (EC) has suspended the electoral program for the Women Councils and Committees, 2022 due to lack of funds.
On 18th February 2022, the Electoral Commission issued a Roadmap detailing the various activities to be conducted under the programme for elections of Women Councils and Committees from the Village to the National Level.
To-date the Electoral Commission has finalised the compilation of the Village Women Residents’ Register and is currently conducting the Display of the said Registers at each Village/Cell across the country in preparation for subsequent activities, namely, nomination of candidates and polling at the Village level.
However, the Ministry of Finance has informed the Commission that the funds required for conducting the subsequent activities under the electoral Roadmap are not yet available.
In a statement issued by EC Chairman Simon Byabakama, the Commission informs the general public, Political Party leaders and women in particular, that the remaining programme for the elections of Village Women Councils and Committees, shall not be implemented as earlier scheduled.
According to EC, the amount required for conduct of the elections is Shs. 35.6b and at the moment, only Shs. 15.6bn has been provided, which leaves a funding gap of Shs. 20bn. The EC is engaging the relevant agencies of government to address the matter of additional funding.
Byabakama said, all the remaining activities under the approved programme for conduct of the Women Councils and Committees Elections, starting with the nominations of candidates, which were earlier scheduled for Monday 27th June – 1st July 2022, have been suspended. He said the Commission will issue a new programme for the above electoral activities when the required additional funds are availed.
In the statement, the Commission appeals to Political Parties and Organisations, aspiring candidates and their supporters, and all other stakeholders in these elections, to remain calm as the matter of the additional funding requirements is being handled by the relevant organs of Government.