Gerald Siranda, the Secretary-General, of the Democratic Party (DP), on behalf of the Party, requested that the government alter the Electoral Commission (EC) statute so that it will be possible for the electoral commission to monitor, take part in, and direct all political parties’ internal elections in Uganda.
He made these remarks during a press conference on October 11, 2023, at the party headquarters in Kampala.
Siranda wants the electoral commission to hold all the electoral processes on the same day like it’s done in other East African countries like Kenya, claiming that it will help to avoid campaign and election fatigue.
“Internal political party elections should not be left only to DISOs, GISOs, PISOs, and RDCs. EC has staff at regional, district, county, subcounty, and parish levels who should be allowed to observe and oversee these political parties elections because they are held in different months and years. This is going to help in the holding and mobilisation of good elections,” he said.
He proposed that parliament should also extend the term of women’s council election positions from four to five years to save money and time.
“We have decided to hold the Delegates’ Conference early to avoid confusion that arose last time in 2021 when they nominated candidates amidst campaigns for the general elections”, he said.
DP has set April 20, 2023, to hold its Delegates’ Conference to elect party members ahead of the 2026 general elections.
