EC asks parties, candidates to stick to election roadmap

Political parties and candidates seeking to take part in the forthcoming general elections must stick to the timelines of the revised roadmap, the Electoral Commission (EC) has said.

EC spokesperson, Jothan Taremwa, told New Vision on Thursday that the timelines set out in the roadmap remain unchanged, even as the electoral body examines concerns raised by the parties.

"Stakeholder concerns have been more on the mode of campaigning but not on timelines. Therefore, the programme remains as was released," Taremwa stated.

On March 16, the EC unveiled a new roadmap for the 2021 general elections that prescribes ‘scientific campaigns' for all candidates to limit potential spread of COVID-19.

The revised roadmap for the 2021 elections bars candidates from holding campaign rallies, instead providing for candidates to canvass for votes through the media.

The EC argues that holding campaign rallies would go against the very essence of drastic prevention measures aimed at taming the spread of COVID-19, particularly on social distancing.

The EC chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama said the revised roadmap, which has elicited mixed reaction and arguments, was drawn up with input from health experts.

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) chaired by President Museveni has agreed to adhere to the new roadmap but several other political parties remain firmly opposed to the move.

However, many opposition political parties, observers and civil society organisations have challenged the roadmap, insisting that the electoral process be deferred or allowed unhinged.

While many of the political parties have started nominating their representatives for parliament, some of them have not yet held primaries to choose flagbearers.

The NRM's Central Executive Committee (CEC) was to meet today (Thursday) to finalise its position on the revised EC roadmap, after which it would announce its own roadmap. 

Rogers Mulindwa, the NRM party spokesperson told New Vision yesterday that the party was working within the timelines of the EC roadmap. 

The EC roadmap set polls for presidential, parliamentary and local council positions to be held between January 10 and February 8 next year.

Under the roadmap, nomination of candidates commences September and November, and with campaigns commencing thereafter.

Prior to the lockdown in March, the EC had undertaken several activities in preparation for the 2021 polls. Voter registration and verification exercise was concluded mid-December last year.

On March 20, the EC concluded a month-long display of the National Voters' Register at all the 34,344 polling stations countrywide. 

The exercise was intended to update the register which will be relied on to conduct the 2021 general elections, capturing data of all eligible voters.

The display of the voters' Registers for Special Interest Groups, namely, the Youths, Persons with Disability (PWD), and Older Persons at Village level, ended as well.

The display of lists for all persons recommended for deletion or inclusion from the National Voters' Register was meant to be held for ten days from March 11 at Parish/Ward Headquarter.

One of the concerns raised by parties is the time allocated for them to identify their flag bearers (June 22 and July 21). Some of the parties complained that the allocated time was inadequate.

Procurement of ballots

According to Taremwa, the procurement ballot papers to be used for presidential, parliamentary and local government council elections is underway.

Firms interested in supplying ballot papers for the elections had until July 13, to submit relevant documents, with contract signing for the selected firm set for August 21.

Last month, the commission invited private firms with capacity to produce the ballot papers to attend a pre-bid meeting on Friday via teleconferencing.