NRM Unveils Plan to Re-run Youth Elections, Introduces Decentralized Voting
The NRM is making efforts to ensure that the youth elections are free, fair, and credible after previous exercises were marred by irregularities and complaints.
Kampala, Uganda – The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission has announced a revised roadmap for conducting fresh elections for youth leaders, particularly for positions on the Central Executive Committee (CEC) and regional youth representatives. The elections are scheduled to take place on 18th October of this year.
The positions to be filled include:
- Youth Representative to the CEC
- Deputy Youth Representatives for the Eastern, Western, Northern, and Central (Buganda) regions
- Youth Representative for Kampala
- Flag bearers for Youth Members of Parliament
In a press briefing held at the NRM headquarters in Kyadondo, the Deputy Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, Mr. Jachan Fred Omach, revealed that this time, the elections will not be held at a centralised venue like Kololo Independence Grounds. Instead, voting will be conducted at the district level to ensure broader participation and transparency.
Jachan Fred Omach, Deputy NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson
“This time, we are decentralising the youth elections. Voting will take place in the districts to allow more young people to participate without the burden of travelling long distances.”
Dr. James Williams Kinobe, a Commissioner of the NRM Electoral Commission, emphasized that the election process will be conducted openly, with votes counted at the polling stations (sub-county level) to ensure fairness and reduce disputes.
“The elections will be held openly, and vote counting will be done at the sub-county level. Those attempting to bribe voters will be disqualified.” Dr. James Williams Kinobe, NRM Electoral Commission Commissioner
The commission also addressed the newly created districts that are yet to be fully operationalised, such as those proposed to be carved out of Tororo District. It clarified that these districts will not participate in the NRM elections until the government formally operationalises them with full administrative structures.
The NRM is making efforts to ensure that the youth elections are free, fair, and credible after previous exercises were marred by irregularities and complaints.
