Greater Kibaale election stakeholders petition EC. Boss Justice Byabakama over unpaid election officials
KIBAALE
Election stake holders in Kibaale, Kagadi and Kakumiro districts have asked the Electoral commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama to expedite payment of some election officials who have never been paid.
In a one day Election stake holder’s consultative meeting with Justice Simon Byabakama on post-election evaluation held at Star-Light Hotel in Kibaale district yesterday , the Kibaale Resident District Commissioner(RDC) Deborah Mbabazi told Byabakama that a number of election officials especially display of voter registers officers have been flocking to her office demanding their pay which she said discredits the image of the Electoral commission.
In the same meeting the LC5 Chairperson Kagadi District Ndibwami B. Yosia expressed dismay over unpaid display officers saying that presiding officers and their polling assistants were paid but their counter parts have up to-date never paid. He further asked for Bye elections in areas where candidates died and decried lack of voter education for the general public.
Meanwhile the LC5 C-Man Kakumiro District Joseph Sentayi and District speaker Byarugaba Ajuna Joseph holders applauded the national electoral commission for exhibiting integrity, transparency, fairness and ethics during election process. They said despite the district having influential two Ministers, Matia Kasaiaja the Finance Minister& Prime Minister, Robinah Nabanja election exercise was not interrupted during campaigns and on polling day.
In response Justice Simon Byabakama ordered the district returning officers(DRO) to compile names of those who were not paid and forward them immediately for consideration adding that not all election officials were not paid across the country but a few missed due to some anomalies. He clarified that those whose names were not reflected in their mobile phone could not access the money since payment was done via mobile money but assured them that they would be paid soon.
Justice Byabakama further assured them of the Bye -elections to areas where candidates died or resigned in the course elections but said no elections will be held in the newly created administrative units in accordance to guidelines of electoral commission.
He applaud media houses for supplementing on government programs of voter education and civic education during election period.
