By Nuwagaba Arthur
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) this week embarked on a 21-day exercise to update and digitize its voter register in preparation for its upcoming internal elections. This groundbreaking ingenuity aims to address long-standing challenges in the party’s electoral processes, particularly the irregularities that plagued the previous internal party elections. By embracing digitization, the NRM is setting the stage for more transparent, efficient, and credible internal elections.
The 2021 NRM primaries were marred by significant flaws in the voter register. Many party members complained of missing names, and this forced President Museveni to change the voting guidelines just hours before the elections.
In an unprecedented move, everyone was allowed to vote in the primaries, including non-members and opposition supporters. This led to chaos, as opposition members reportedly voted for weak NRM candidates, who were later defeated in the general elections by opposition candidates.
This experience highlighted the urgent need for a credible and accurate voter register. By transitioning to a digital system, the NRM aims to prevent such irregularities. The digitized register will ensure that only verified party members can participate in the NRM party internal elections, eliminating interference from non-members and opposition supporters. It will also enable the party to know its true membership base, which will help the NRM leadership project results more accurately for the 2026 general elections.
Digitization will also address common errors, such as duplicate entries and ghost voters. A transparent and secure system will improve the credibility of the register, restoring confidence among members and strengthening the party’s internal democracy.
Besides, the updated register will provide the party with accurate data on its membership, enabling it to identify its strongholds and areas requiring more mobilization. This will not only improve the internal elections but also strengthen the party’s overall electoral strategy ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Globally, digitization of party registers has proven successful in strengthening internal democracy and streamlining electoral processes. For example, India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) digitized its membership database to ensure that only registered members could participate in internal elections and decision-making processes. This move helped the party streamline its organizational structure and mobilize support effectively during national elections.
Similarly, South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) adopted a digital system for membership verification to curb voter fraud and ensure credible party primaries. These examples demonstrate that digitization not only enhances transparency but also strengthens party structures, making them more resilient and better prepared for national electoral contests.
As the NRM prepares for its next elections, this digital transformation will be a game changer for the party’s internal democracy. By ensuring that only members vote in the internal elections, the NRM is not just safeguarding its electoral process but also reinforcing its commitment to transparency, unity, and accountability – key pillars for securing victory in 2026.
The writer is an NRM Cadre and a Ph.D. candidate in Business Administration. ([email protected])
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