Jinja: There is controversy between voters and the local council village chairpersons over the mode of voting used to elect the LCI leaders..
Those against it have told the electoral commission that lining up behind candidates is a disastrous system that leaves the villages sharply divided.
The electorates argued that this mode of election contradicts the freedom to choose a leader of one’s choice.
This was during a district stakeholder’s consultation on Constitutional and Political Reforms organised by First African Bicycle Information Organisation(FABIO) in Jinja City on Monday May 15, 2023.
The Chief Executive Officer of FABIO Ms. Joy Kawagunzi said the consultations were conducted by trained civic mentors and governors in 36 villages in Jinja district and City.
The Chairman LCI of Mpumudde West A village Mpumudde Ward in Jinja North Division in Jinja city, Mr. Felix Dradidi Agaba said the Electoral Commission (EC) should consider using secret ballot at LCI.
“Secret ballot voting reduces fears and tensions among both the voters and the candidates because you cannot know who voted for you or not,” said Mr. Dradidi.
Mr. Jimmy Okee, the Bukaya West Village Chairperson in Njeru Central Division, Njeru Municipality Buikwe, district said lining behind a candidate discriminates the people in the community even at the level of family members.
However, Mr Badru Nabugo, the Ripon West chairperson said lining up behind a candidate is one of the best because it is very fast, transparent and prohibits vote rigging and corruption.
“Lining up is very fast, no need to wait for counting results for hours or days as the case may for secret voting,” he said.
The Kiira Regional Electoral Commission Chief, Mr Deo Nakukunda said organizing for LCI elections is expensive compared to any other kind of elections in the country.
Mr. Richard Gulume, the RDC of Jinja district said government doesn’t have enough money to organize a secret ballot for LCIs.
