By John Okello Lapok
The Electoral Commission has urged all those intending to stand for the Presidency to speed up the process of returning their supporter forms as the nomination dates draw closer.
According to the EC chairman Justice Simon Byabakama, 30 aspirants have so far submitted their supporter forms and that the process of verifying them is already underway.
He however, noted that the commission has discovered a lot of irregularities in the returned forms with some forms bearing underage people while others; their districts do not correspond with those listed by aspirants.
Addressing the media at EC offices, Byabakama explained that according to the law, each aspirant must gather at least 100 signatures from a minimum of 98 districts across the country.
Upon submission, the commission’s responsibility is to cross check those details to ensure they are valid and properly registered.
“Once we are satisfied with the submissions, we issue a certificate of compliance to the aspirant. This certificate allows them to pay nomination fees and then with the process” he said adding that aspirants need to schedule their nomination appointments on either 23rd or 24th September to avoid congestion at the EC offices.
He also warned that the commission will not approve anyone who doesn’t meet the requirements, adding that those who picked forms and are yet to return them should do so as time is running out.
Byabakama noted that whereas the commission on august 11, opened submissions, up today 17thSeptember, some are yet to return them.
“Any serious aspirant should have no difficulty securing 100 signatures per district. I urge those who are yet to submit to act promptly so we can gave adequate time to verify their forms” he said.
