Uganda’s election governing body, the Electoral Commission (EC), has released the electoral programme for the by-election of the Member of Parliament for Soroti East Constituency, in Soroti City.
The seat fell vacant two weeks ago after the Court of Appeal judges, Cheborion Barishaki, Stephen Musota, and Christopher Gashirabake upheld the High Court judgment nullifying the election of Forum for Democratic Change’s Moses Attan as the Soroti City East Member of Parliament.
During the January 2021 polls, Attan won the election after obtaining 7,606 votes, Ariko gathered 7,164 votes, Jimmy Ekemu (NRM) got 397 votes, Sarah Inadiu (IND) got 185, James Herbert Elaju (UPC) 99 votes, and Arnold Emachu (NUP) 86 votes.
Going by the court order, the EC will hold a by-election to fill the seat.
Also, according to the released programme, the Commission will also fill the vacancy for City Division Directly-elected Councillor for Pioneer Ward in Soroti City.
The by-election programme will commence with an update of the National Voters’ Register from 10th to 14th June 2022 at update stations in each of the thirteen wards (parishes) in Soroti East Constituency.
The Commission has appointed Tuesday, June 14 2022 as the cut-off date for registration of voters in the constituency.
“Registration and transfer of voters from one polling station to another within Soroti East Constituency will not be conducted after this date,” says EC.
The display of the National Voters’ Register will be conducted from June 27 to July 6, at all the 63 polling stations in Soroti East Constituency.
The nomination of candidates will be conducted for a period of two days, that is, Monday, July 18 and Tuesday, July 19 at the Office of the City Returning Officer, Soroti City.
EC says that campaign meetings for candidates will be held from July 21 to July 26. Then, the people of Soroti East Constituency will go to the polls on Thursday, July 28.