Aspirants don't need police permission - EC

POLITICS|ELECTIONS|POLICE

The Electoral Commission (EC) has clarified that aspirants are not supposed to seek permission from the Police to carry out lawful political activities.

Commissioner Justine Ahabwe Mugabi made the revelation during a press briefing at Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) offices in Kawempe, a Kampala suburb, yesterday.

Representing EC chairman Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi at a media briefing yesterday, Mugabi dismissed claims that EC has directed aspirants to seek permission from the Police before carrying out their activities.

Clarification

"I take this opportunity to clarify that EC never said that politicians should get permission from the Police to carry out their activities. The EC only asked Police to work closely with aspirants to ensure that their venue can accommodate a sizable number of participants in light of the COVID-19 pandemic regulations, which require at least two metres of social distancing," she said.

On Tuesday, Police blocked presidential hopeful Gen. (rtd) Henry Tumukunde from meeting his presumed supporters in Buikwe district.

National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine has since dragged the Attorney General to Mbale Magistrates Court over the same matter.

Mugabi, however, implored politicians to heed to the health ministry guidelines against COVID-19 for the safety of the voters.

"EC calls on aspirants to promote safe electioneering because it is the reason open campaigns were banned. COVID-19 poses a big health threat and there is no doubt that it exists and kills and its facts are not hidden," she noted.

Mugabi encouraged aspirants to disseminate their message mainly through media and other digital platforms for the voters to appreciate their agenda without exposing them to infection. She also revealed that so far, 56 people have since picked presidential nomination forms expressing interest in running for the presidency.

She, however, declined to mention their names, but said five are women.

Mugabi also implored journalists to avoid partisan politics during the election period.

"I urge journalists to be professional throughout this period and handle all candidates with an independent mind. You can feel with your heart, but when it comes to reporting, be objective," she said.

Mugabi, however, lauded journalists for their devoted efforts to inform, educate and entertain the public despite the COVID-19 pandemic threat.

In regard to the concluded youth elections, Mugabi explained that some of the youth were not in the register since they had clocked 30 years on polling day. Some had not even clocked 18 years at the time of compiling it on December 23, 2019, while others changed their areas of residence without notifying EC.

"It is unfortunate that some youth missed out, but for one to vote, one has to be in our register," she noted.

In regard to voter education, Mugabi said they are constrained in terms of resources.

"We do not have enough resources to do it, but we still have time since we are not yet done with the nominations," she said.

Ballot procurement

Mugabi said the company which has been selected to print the ballot papers will be announced after the completion of the nomination exercise.

"We cannot procure the ballot papers without having the players. We shall inform you immediately after the nomination exercise," she said.

Mugabi also revealed that a voters' social distancing of two metres will be observed on the polling day.

She blamed failure to observe social distancing in the youth elections on poor nurturing of some youths.

Asked about voices questioning the impartiality of EC, Mugabi said: "Even in a football match, a loser gives an excuse, what about in elections?"

New constituencies

Mugabi also revealed that creation of new constituencies has also affected their roadmap just like the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic did.

"The creation of new constituencies meant that we have to go back and carry out demarcations, yet we had finished that in December 2019. This has also forced us to push back local government elections from September 7 to September 21. Such changes affect the roadmap for the elections, but it is part of our work and we still have time," she said.