The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has declared a sweeping victory in the recently concluded Village Women Council Committee elections, saying it won more than 91 percent of all available positions and is now focused on securing another strong performance in Tuesday’s LC1 chairperson elections.
Addressing journalists on Monday, NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi said the party won 326,248 out of 356,070 positions contested during the Village Women Council Committee elections held on July 23 across 71,214 villages nationwide.
According to the preliminary results released by the party, independent candidates secured 20,819 positions, representing 5.8 percent of the total, while candidates from other political parties won 8,748 positions, accounting for 2.5 percent. Results for 255 positions, equivalent to 0.1 percent, were still pending by Monday.
Dr. Odoi said the outcome reflected overwhelming support for the NRM at the grassroots level, noting that 119,341 positions, representing 33.6 percent of all seats, were won unopposed.
He described the results as a significant endorsement of the party ahead of the Village Local Council One (LC1) chairperson elections scheduled for Tuesday, July 28.
The NRM Electoral Commission chairperson said the party has fielded candidates in all 71,214 villages and urged members to turn out in large numbers to vote for official party flag bearers.
He appealed to members of the NRM Central Executive Committee, Members of Parliament, local government leaders, leaders of special interest groups, and party supporters to intensify mobilization efforts ahead of the polls.
Dr. Odoi also reminded party members that Tuesday has been declared a public holiday to allow citizens to participate in the LC1 elections.
At the same time, he warned against acts of indiscipline within the party, cautioning members against campaigning for or contesting against officially endorsed NRM candidates.
He said disciplinary measures would be taken against any member found undermining the party’s official flag bearers during the elections.
Looking ahead, Dr. Odoi announced that NRM primary elections for LC2 chairpersons and Parish Women Council Committees will be held on Friday, July 31.
He explained that the elections will be conducted using the college electoral system through the lining-up method, with participation restricted to eligible NRM members.
According to the guidelines, only NRM members serving on LC1 Executive Committees will be eligible to contest for and vote in the LC2 chairperson elections, while members of Village Women Council Committees will elect Parish Women Council leaders.
Dr. Odoi said the NRM Electoral Commission will continue providing updates as preparations progress for the remaining Women Council elections from the sub-county level up to the national leadership structures.
