Uncertainty looms as NRM MPs split over open voting

By Francis Otucu

At the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Third Retreat Session held between February 15 and 20, 2019 at Chobe Safari Lodge, Nwoya district, the NRM Party Secretary General Justin Kasule Lumumba moved a ‘motion’ on the proposed amendment of the party Constitution to specifically provide for a change in the model of voting during internal elections.

Lumumba’s proposal was to the effect that during the NRM primaries, voters line up behind their candidates of choice.

“Elections by way of lining up for the National Resistance Movement primaries would be in conformity with the National Laws of Uganda; and specifically the Local Government Act (as Amended),” Lumumba backed her presentation.

Further, according to Lumumba, the mode would show transparency, maintain cohesion as well as cost effectiveness.

As a result, the Central Executive Committee (NRM-CEC) gave the move a ‘thumbs up’ and moved the matter to National Executive Council (NEC) and the National Conference.

This same matter was also discussed before NRM Members of Parliament at the National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi on March 18, 2019.

However, since the Chobe-Kyankwanzi meetings, nothing is going on as a sign of preparation ahead of the NRM Primaries expected between late June and August, 2020.

Triggered by our story, ‘MPs UNDER SIEGE: Panic as 2021 NRM fixers demand Shs300m each for party primaries’ in Vol 02, Issue 13, proponents and those against the proposed model think it would be important to have the amendment expeditiously carried out in a bid to create room for proper preparations.

“We are confused. Since the Chobe and Kyankwanzi meetings, all is quiet,” an inside NRM source said.

NRM sources say the challenges identified in the new mode were ignored at the Chobe-Kyankwanzi meetings and could delay the new proposal.

“The NRM is stuck with the idea given the timeframe for implementation. The party will need to internalize the model and that in itself will take time,” a source noted.

CHALLENGES Vs TIMEFRAME

For starters, the mode of lining up behind a candidate, according to those in the know, was informed by the success of the nationwide LC1 polls that were conducted in the same way. Yet NRM strategists and apologists are jittery about using the same method for the primaries, citing its newness. “It is true that NRM did well in Kampala, Wakiso and Kasese (ordinarily opposition strongholds). It is also true that not so much violence was reported. It is also true that vote-rigging was not widely reported. However, these were not party primaries. The party primaries were conducted by secret ballot. We, the party already had flag bearers. That’s why it was that smooth. No one should be blinded,” a party source said.

COST

Sources privy to NRM operations at the Secretariat say the cost of convening NEC and National Conference is huge, with a single meeting at Namboole reportedly costing the party about Shs39bn.

So, for the NRM to organize the NEC and National Conference in a period of five months, the party needs a minimum of Shs80bn but insiders say the party does not have the money. “Mzee (read President Museveni) has always emphasized cost-cutting. With this, I don’t think he buys the idea of putting in money in NEC and DC (Delegates Conference) meetings just to approve the new model,” a source said.

Meanwhile, another group of insiders say the budget draft so far presented by the NRM SG Lumumba stands at Shs29bn. The NRM Secretariat has been spending about 35bn on Secret ballot voting. Impeccable sources say the cost could still go up (above 29bn). This, on top of funding NEC and Delegates Conference meets, sources say, is not cost effective for the ruling party.

“Yes, Shs29bn would be fair. However, the draft is just an estimate. Remember we have not yet talked about the challenges that come with this mode,” a source added.

HUMAN RESOURCE

The human resource involved in the new mode could increase. This, insiders say, is because the party will need to engage the services of electoral officials and provide another set of people to man security in a bid to avert possible fights.

“Back then, it was a question of someone coming even at 5pm to vote and he or she goes back home. Using the new model, it will be about convening voters at once in the same place and then voting. How do you control that crowd? How about rain?” a source observed.

AMENDMENT

For all this to be done, the party has to amend its Constitution to allow for change in the model of voting. This too is not a one-day event; it is a process that requires sittings of both NEC and Delegates Conference.

Already, some of the Members of Parliament have voiced concerns over the model of voting being proposed. Those we have spoken but have preferred to remain anonymous say the nature of politics in their constituencies is way different from others, thus, arguing that voting by secret ballot is the deal.

“The nature of politics in my area doesn’t favor the proposed model,” an MP said adding: “I have already petitioned the relevant authorities to consider my area for secret ballot even if the party organs adopt the proposed mode.”

There is also the question of who among the party flagbearers will be voted first. Will it be the Constituency MP or Woman MP? In the Chobe meet this debate came up, with arguments that should Constituency MPs be voted first, voters will walk away before voting for the Woman MP. This debate was left hanging as the most important thing at the time was to endorse ‘lining up behind a candidate’ as the new internal electoral model for the NRM.

RECORD

Whereas the NRM wants to show that secret ballot failed, records indicate to the contrary.

Lumumba in her presentation at Chobe said the new mode will reduce the number of NRM-leaning Independents in the house. Yet, currently, there are only 32 NRM-leaning MPs in the current parliament. The 32 is out of 709 that contested the previous NRM primaries and chose to contest as Independents. Only 32 made it. Out of the 32, 18 were veteran MPs seeking reelection. They knew what it meant to campaign and win an election. It is worth noting that the NRM has 308 MPs in the current House. (I don’t get this)

Dr. Tanga Odoi speaks out

Speaking to The Second Opinion in an exclusive interview, the NRM Electoral Commission Chairman Dr. Tanga Odoi was non-committal. He however, said that whereas his Commission was not consulted, once the new mode is endorsed, his team is ready to implement the decision.

“As NRM EC, we didn’t have any input in Chobe and Kyankwanzi to analyze the challenges with the proposed mode. All we will need is enough time to analyze the new mode,” he said adding, “But once it is endorsed, we are waiting to implement it.”