29,973 voters in Jinja East Constituency will tomorrow vote for a new Member of Parliament following the nullification of the election of Nathan Igeme Nabeeta in January. Voters will choose from eight candidates who are Monica Awuze, Atim Isabirye, Richard Nyanzi, Francis Wakabi and Faizal Mayemba who are all independents. Also vying for the seat are FDC’s Paul Mwiru, NRM’s Igeme Nabeeta and Paul Mugaya of the People’s Progressive Party.
Voting materials have been delivered to the district headquarters, however, the number of ballot papers was slightly more than the registered number of voters. Jinja district Returning Officer Julius Serunjogi explained this difference. “And the difference in received ballot papers visa vie the number of registered voters is just to cater for those people who may have spoilt their ballot papers to be in position to go back to the table where they received them so that they can pick another ballot paper so that they can have a chance to go and vote.” Said, Rogers Serunjogi – Returning Officer, Jinja District.
The Police and the UPDF were strategically deployed to handle security. “We have already received re-enforcements from the neighboring regions and also sister agencies have sent personnel because we shall have deployments at the polling stations in terms of polling constables but we shall also have to maintain foot and motorized patrols to make sure that it is peaceful for people going to vote, for people coming from voting and also to ensure that no other crimes are committed in the course of the process.” Said, Diana Nandawula – Police Spokesperson, Kiira Region. The Electoral Commission Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama speaking to journalists in Jinja warned candidates and political parties against forming vigilante groups. “We have been receiving reports that some candidates intend to have their own vote protectors if I may call it that. And really our take is that we have enough protection for the votes at each polling station.” Said, Simon Byabakama – Chairman, Electoral Commission.
With the polls just hours away, some candidates were still having issues with their voter numbers in the register. “When do we stop the update of the voters register that is actually going to be used by an inner by-election. And the question is; when does, for instance, the mandate of NIRA which is the registration authority stop and when does the mandate of the Electoral Commission begin?” Said, Crispin Kaheru – National Coordinator, CCEDU. "A register is not a static document, I would like to describe it as a fluid one. The law said the Electoral Commission was responsible for maintaining, registering voters and updating the voters' register." Said, Simon Byabakama – Chairman, Electoral Commission. Jinja East Constituency is made of Masese and Jinja Central divisions.
