WEST NILE REGION PREPARES FOR ELECTIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT POSITION NOMINATIONS

Juma Shesha the regional election officer for West Nile Region

By Onzoma Albert

Arua City

The National Electoral Commission (EC) will commence the first nomination phase of candidates with that of candidates vying for the various elective local government positions.

The exercise will run through September and October depending on the specific position ahead of the 2026 general elections with a focus on streamlining the nomination process for local government positions.

The process aims to be inclusive, rigorous and transparent ensuring that only qualified candidates who meet all procedural requirements proceed to the campaign phase.

Nominations for district chairpersons and City Mayors and Councilors are set for Wednesday September 3rd to 5th 2025, at the respective district or city returning officer’s offices across the country.

Juma Shesha, the Regional Election Officer for West Nile region emphasized the importance of observing guidelines for a smooth nomination process to the aspirants, their agents, supporters and concerned stakeholders involved in the nomination process.

“The nomination exercise will begin with the elective local government positions because the numbers are very big. From local council 3 chairpersons and their councilors, division Chairpersons/Mayors and their councilors, Municipal Mayors and their councilors, District Chairpersons and the councilors and City Mayors and their councilors, that’s why they have been given enough time”

“Our nomination exercise begins from 9:00am to 5:00pm but if by 5pm somebody is still undergoing the nomination process the nomination will continue but we don’t expect an aspirant to come for nominations beyond 5pm” he said.

In Arua City alone, over 200 aspirants have already picked nomination forms to contest in the various positions.
Osman Ezale, the Returning Officer of Arua City, confirmed their readiness to conduct the nomination exercise as he encouraged the aspirants to adhere to the nomination guidelines and meet all nomination requirements.

“As the office of the Returning Officer of Arua city, we are already set to conduct the nomination exercise. We have been issuing nomination forms since 11th of August. We have a number of people who have picked the nominations and now we are waiting for them to return the forms. We, as well expect them to come with their campaign programs because immediately after the nomination exercise, we shall sit together with the candidates to harmonize the campaign programs before the candidates start their campaigns officially” he emphasised.  

The nomination exercise is expected to feature a competitive field with veteran politicians, new entrants, and independent candidates vying for leadership roles across West Nile.

These preparatory steps reflect the high level of organization and readiness by electoral authorities to facilitate a fair, transparent, and well-coordinated election process, with nomination activities serving as a critical milestone in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.