The National Resistance Movement Electoral Commission has commenced the expression of interest process for members seeking to contest for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
The exercise, which started Friday evening and runs until Saturday evening, has so far attracted eight candidates across the two positions as competition intensifies within the ruling party ahead of the parliamentary leadership elections.
The process follows a directive issued by the party’s National Resistance Movement Central Executive Committee (CEC), which met to outline the party’s strategy ahead of the inauguration of the 12th Parliament.
Tanga Odoi said interested members were formally invited to pick and submit nomination forms for the two top parliamentary positions.
According to Odoi, all applicants will undergo a shortlisting process before their names are forwarded to another CEC meeting scheduled to take place at State House Entebbe.
The CEC is expected to review the shortlisted candidates before the ruling party convenes a caucus meeting where NRM MPs-elect will choose the final flag bearers for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker elections in Parliament.
The developments come amid heightened political activity within the ruling party following the withdrawal of former Speaker Anita Annet Among from the Speakership race.
The election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker is scheduled for May 25 and is expected to shape the leadership and direction of the 12th Parliament over the next five years.
