The Electoral Commission has postponed by-elections for Chairperson, Namayumba Sub-county which was scheduled for today Thursday to tomorrow Friday December 17.
The announcement by the Electoral Chairperson, Simon Byabakama did not disclose reasons for the postponement.
“The Electoral Commission hereby informs political parties, independent candidates, their agents and voters in Namayumba Sub County, Wakiso District, that polling for by-election of Sub County Chairperson, Namayumba Sub County Local Government, which was earlier scheduled for Thursday, 16th December 2021, has been postponed to Friday 17th December 2021,” says Byabakama.
“All inconveniences caused to the concerned parties are regretted,” he adds.
Tight competition is between NRM’s Muzenze Joseph and NUP’s Ssekweyama Mustafa.
On Thursday morning, social media was awash with what appeared to be ballot papers to be used during the voting in Namayumba but containing mismatches in the details of the candidates.
Whereas Muzenze’s details had no issues, the papers indicate that his leading opponent Ssekweyama from the Bobi Wine-led party, also belongs to NRM. NRM is appearing for both Muzenze and Ssekweyama.
It remains unclear whether this could be the reason for the postponement or other causes.
Unconfirmed reports earlier said that polling officials had initially asked voters to use pens to counsel out one of the indicated NRM and go ahead to cast their ballot.
National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine had used his twitter platform to accuse the Electoral Commission of conspiring to facilitate election malpractice.
“In Namayumba, this is how the ballot paper appears! The voters have been told to go ahead and vote, and use a pen to write NUP! The Electoral Commission clearly part of the conspiracy,” he wrote.