KAMPALA, Nov. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Uganda's Electoral Commission (EC) has started issuing guidelines and nomination forms for those who wish to stand as president in the country's general elections slated for early next year.

    EC Chairman Badru Kigundu was quoted by local press as saying on Friday that the guidelines and nomination forms can be collected from the EC's headquarters in Kampala.

    He noted that the forms and guidelines will soon be available in all district EC offices.

    Presidential nominations will take place from Dec. 14-15 this year starting at 10:00 a.m. (0700 GMT) to 4:00 p.m. (1300 GMT) each day.

    Kigundu cautioned that the election program would continue whether some parties were not ready.

    "The national program must continue. We spelt the time table long ago," he said.

    Currently only two out of the 30 parties have elected their flag bearers to represent them in the presidential election.

    According to the EC, nominations of presidential candidates could be done by individuals or party representatives

    Presidential elections are expected to take place between Feb. 12 and March 12, 2006, Kigundu said, adding that the parliamentary nominations will take place on Jan. 12-13, 2006.

    Under the country's law, public servants are not allowed to contest for high level political office.

    Uganda will for the first time in the last over 20 years hold multiparty elections early next year. The July 28, 2005 referendum allowed the return of multiparty in the country. Previously political parties operated in abeyance. Enditem