NUP is looking forward to supporting an NRM candidate in the Speaker race.

 

The National Unity Platform(NUP) is holding back and waiting on the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), to choose a candidate for Speaker and they back him to steer the 11^th parliament.

The NUP failed to find a suitable candidate for the position in its 65 Members of Parliament thus resorting to supporting whoever the NRM brings.

NRM on Monday invited its members interested in vying for the speaker and deputy speaker of Parliament to submit applications to the party's electoral commission for consideration.

 

Dr Tanga Odoi, the NRM electoral commission chairperson, said only registered members should pick forms to express their interest starting today so that the party structures vet the candidate on each position.

 

The election is scheduled to take place on May 24 at Kololo independence grounds. Interested candidates have up to Friday to register with the party electoral commission.

 

"Any member who wishes to contest for any of the two positions of speaker and deputy speaker of parliament shall write to the chairperson, NRM electoral commission expressing interest. They must be an NRM member sworn in for the 11th Parliament," Dr Odoi told journalists at his office in Kyadondo, Kampala.

 

The NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) will then sit on Saturday to discuss the names, which will be presented to the caucus on Sunday before they are subjected to a vote to find the sole candidate for the parliamentary race the next morning.

 

The voting, strictly conducted under Covid-19 measures, will be by secret ballot starting at 10am and closing at 2pm.

 

Each candidate will be required to get two agents to assist in canvassing for the votes.

 

Dr Odoi discouraged members against bribery and use of abusive language. He said the 43 independent MPs, who are NRM leaning, are not allowed to participate in the party processes unless they sign a memorandum of understanding with them.

 

Earlier, outgoing Speaker Rebecca Kadaga and her deputy Jacob Oulanyah have publicly shown interest to steer the 11th Parliament.

 

 

The party's successful candidate will now join Opposition chief whip and Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, who has expressed interest to contest for the House's top job on Monday at Kololo ceremonial grounds.

 

NRM SPEAKER, DEPUTY SPEAKER RACE RULES

 

-Be a registered NRM member in the 11th Parliament

 

-Express interest in writing to NRM electoral commission

 

-NRM electoral commission present names of interested candidates to CEC

 

-NRM electoral commission conduct elections

 

-Voting starts at 10am and ends at 2pm on May 23

 

-Observe Covid-19 rules

 

-Candidates nominate two agents

 

-Voting to be secret ballot

 

-No proxy voting

 

-Candidate with majority votes wins

 

-To repeat voting once two candidates tie

 

-In case of a disagreement, returning officer takes final decision

 

-Parliamentary speaker and deputy speaker race on May 24