The Electoral Commission has released the program for Arua Municipality Parliamentary by-election, following the assassination of MP Ibrahim Abiriga earlier this month.
The by-election will be conducted on 15th August 2018.
Over 20 candidates have expressed interest in the by-election, including former Terego County MP, Kassiano Wadri, who wants to contest on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket.
Electoral Commission Chairman Simon Byabakama told journalists that the election will cost tax payer Shs505 million.
He also called for calm in Arua during the campaign period, saying the scenes witnessed during the burial of the slain legislator should not be extended to the voting and campaign period.
Abiriga and his brother were shot dead on the 8th of this month, near the MP’s residence in Matugga, Wakiso district.
Relatedly, Mr. Byabakama says the Commission is only carrying out its mandate under the law, in regard to the lining up method of voting, that will be used in the upcoming Local Council elections.
His comments follow remarks by a delegation of foreign envoys, who visited the Speaker of Parliament earlier in the week and indicated that they were willing to offer financial support to facilitate the polls through secret ballot.
However, Electoral Commission Secretary Sam Rwakoojo said he was not aware of any outside financial offer to facilitate the LC1 polls.
EC Chairman Simon Byabakama also noted that conducting the elections by secret ballot would necessitate an amendment to the law by Parliament.
