UGVOTES: As we edge closer to the 2021 elections, here’s what you need to qualify for candidacy

Although the highlights of these campaigns are the presidential and parliamentary elections, there are local government elections that are conducted during the same period. Many forget about these! Nonetheless, we present the Electoral Commission requirements for those that may be interested in starting a career at the grassroots before heading for the cannons.

Sub County Councillor and Municipal Division Councillor

These have been banded together because they share the requirements. For these, one needs to be older than 18. There is no academic requirement needed for people vying for such posts. The candidate would need five registered voters from each electoral area as his or her supporters. One also parts with UGX.20,000 as a nomination fee. Registration of public officers for these posts must be done 30 days before the day of nomination.

Nomination for these posts will be done between 21^st September and 1^st October to be conducted in the respective County headquarters.

Municipal Councillor and District/City Division Councillor

The requirements for these differ only in two aspects from the the first two. For these, one parts with UGX.50,000 as a nomination fee. The nomination for these shall be done at the respective District headquarters.

Sub County, Town/Mun.Div. Chairperson and City Division Chairperson

Now, we go a step up the ladder. One needs to be between 30yrs and 75yrs of age to qualify for these posts. However, no academic qualification is necessary. For supporters, one needs to have 20 registered voters from each electoral area and part with UGX.50,000 in nomination fees. The time for registering remains the same, as do the dates.

The nomination venue for the former is the respective sub county headquarters and the District headquarters for the latter.

Municipality Chairperson

The requirements for this post differ from those of a City Division Chairperson (CDC) in only one aspect. The nomination fee for these is set at UGX.100,000. Other requirements are constant with those of the CDC.

District/City Chairperson

Further up the ladder, the requirements intensify. The age limit (thanks to a former amendment) is a simple 18yrs or more. However, one ought to have served ample time in the education system; the academic qualification for this post is an ‘A’ Level Certificate or its equivalent. One will need 50 registered voters from each of at least 2/3 of electoral areas: S/County/Division.

The nomination fee for this post is set at UGX.200,000 and the time for registration is the same as for others above. The dates and registration venue also remain constant; as with the Municipality Chairperson.

Member of Parliament

Now we are far enough up the ladder to enjoy a view. The age requirement is simply that of adulthood (18 and over). Similarly, one should have an ‘A’ level certificate or its equivalent. These two requirements stand even for a presidential aspirant.

One needs 10 registered voters in the constituency as supporters. The nomination fee for this post is a handsome UGX.3M. The time for registration of public officers for this post is 90 days before the day of nomination.

The dates for nomination are the 12^th and 13^th of October this year. The nomination venue is the respective district headquarters.

President

The best for last! As said above, the first two requirements remain the same as for an MP.

For supporters, the candidate needs 100 voters from 2/3 of all the districts of Uganda. The nomination fee that one parts with is a hefty UGX.20M and the time for registration of public officers for this post is before the nomination day.

The dates of nomination are 2^nd and 3^rd November, 2020 at the Kololo Independence ground.

So, if anyone out there has the heart for the heated Ugandan political theatre, you’ll need those requirements for the respective posts.