The Democratic Party (DP) has released its internal election roadmap for the party’s general elections pending approval by the National Executive Committee and according to the Secretary General Dr. Gerald Siranda it will be launched on November 10, 2023.
While addressing Journalist in a weekly party press conference at the party Headquarters in Kampala he said that the party has received communication from the National Election Commission indicating the election program for 2026 general elections and guidelines.
Siranda who also double as the EALA Member of Parliament said that his party will commence rebuilding of the party structures on January 2024 with the village elections and urged all members who wish to Vy for the party’s top leadership positions to start from the village elections.
“ As we start to rebuild our party we shall scrutinize people who have the DNA for the party because there are people who claim to be party members yet they are in other parties and is why this time round we shall be tuff on such people. For instance you can’t be a NUP Coordinator and claim to be a chairman of DP in an area. ’’ Dr. Siranda said.
He further said, “ there are people who have been running as independents for severally although he didn’t single out any body but in his argument he seemed to be referring to Lubega Mukwaku whom he said ran as an independent in Kawempe south, then in Lubaga , Mawokota and finally on the presidency yet he claims to be a Dp member yet the party had fielded a candidate.’’
According to the DP roadmap, the party will elect its new President in April 2024 and as per the party constitution, he automatically becomes the flag bearer in the general presidential elections.
Meanwhile Dr. Siranda also argued the party members to contest for the forthcoming local council and women elections that are yet to be organized by the National Electoral Commission having received funds from government. He said that the corporation with NRM doesn’t deter DP from fielding candidates in any elective position in the country.
He also argued government to amend the Election Act in a bid to all general elections take place on the same day just like it’s done in Kenya that this will help to save funds and as well help to deter manipulation of votes especially for the local councils.
He also asked the commission to extend the tenure of women’s councils to five years from the current four years.
The DP Secretary General also urged the Electoral Commission to engage political parties in women’s elections from the village to district level.
“We believe that the Electoral Commission should involve all political parties’ in the country in order to avoid having one party participating in the elections. We believe that our leaders as political parties should be involved in mobilizing these people other than living the exercise to RDCs and DSOs.’’ Siranda said on Tuesday.
The commission recently postponed the election of women council and LC election whose term of office ended on July 10, 2023, due to lack of funds.
By George Bukenya