NRM Probes Electoral Interference by Senior Party Leaders and MPs

The ruling party's Electoral Commission has launched investigations into alleged meddling by legislators and top leaders in ongoing internal elections, vowing to expose offenders.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has opened investigations into claims that some Members of Parliament, senior party officials, and registrars are interfering with the party’s internal electoral process for personal political gain.

Tanga Odoi, chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, sounded the alarm over what he described as a growing trend of electoral interference and manipulation of voter registers, warning that those found guilty will be publicly named and shamed.

“We are closely monitoring the situation. I will not hesitate to name and shame political leaders who interfere with the election process,” said Odoi.

The probe comes amid ongoing elections that have seen significant progress in voting across the country.

According to the Commission, internal elections were officially launched on May 6, 2025, covering structures from the Village/Branch level to the Municipal/City Division.

So far, voting has been conducted in 71,265 out of 71,269 villages—representing 99.99% coverage.

Four villages failed to vote due to demarcation disputes, while 41 villages in Apaa did not participate due to what the Commission termed “unforeseen circumstances.”

On May 12, all 10,730 parishes and wards successfully conducted elections. As of May 16, 2,164 out of 2,188 sub-counties (99%) had voted, with 23 sub-counties pending. Remedial elections are scheduled for May 20 in Bugiri District’s Kapyanga and Namayemba Town Council.

Dr. Odoi emphasized that only eligible college members are allowed to vote or contest in the ongoing elections. Non-voters are not permitted to be added to the register. Expression of interest fees are set at Shs200,000 for mainstream Chairpersons and Shs50,000 for League Chairpersons, with all other positions free of charge.

Despite the high voter coverage, the process has faced key challenges:

• Inclusion of ineligible voters by some registrars.
• Registrars participating in elections as candidates.
• Interference from MPs and senior party officials.
• Alleged involvement of security personnel in influencing outcomes.
• Voters disrupting polls upon realizing likely defeat.
• Manipulation of registers, including unlawful additions and removals.

Odoi expressed concern over the integrity of the process being compromised by individuals entrusted to oversee it.

“Some individuals have participated in elections they were supposed to supervise, while others are manipulating registers by adding ineligible voters or removing eligible ones,” he said.

As voting continues at the Municipal/City Division level, the Commission is urging discipline, transparency, and adherence to established guidelines, while assuring the public of remedial measures where anomalies have been reported.

The investigations mark a critical test of the NRM's internal democratic process at a time when the party is positioning itself for future national contests.