EC releases rules for presidential nominations

The Electoral Commission (EC) has issued nomination rules for aspiring presidential candidates for the 2021 elections.

Twenty-two aspirants have so far returned nomination forms and supporter forms to the EC and 10 have had theirs verified and cleared for nominations scheduled for November 2 and 3 at Kyambogo University.

Justice Simon Byabakama, the EC chairperson, told the media on Thursday that the nomination exercise will feature limited physical attendance in compliance with the ministry of health guidelines and EC standard operating procedures (SOPs) for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Accordingly, he said, an aspiring candidate shall be allowed into the nomination venue accompanied by not more than 10 persons including the aspirant.  

"The particulars of the persons accompanying the aspirant shall be submitted to the Commission in advance and all the persons accompanying the aspiring candidate must have 72-hour polymerase chain reaction negative test for coronavirus, which will be taken at our cost," Byabakama said at EC headquarters.

He also said an aspiring candidate will use only three vehicles for purposes of his or her nominations and each vehicle should not carry more than four persons, driver inclusive.

"Each of the vehicles shall bear a police sticker," he said.

The aspirants who await nomination are incumbent President Yoweri Museveni of National Resistance Movement, Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine of National Unity Platform, Eng. Patrick Amuriat of Forum for Democratic Change, Maj Gen (rdt) Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation and former security minister Lt Gen. (rtd) Henry Tumukunde (independent).

Others are independents Pastor Fred Mwesigye, Nancy Linda Kalembe, Joseph Kabuleta, John Katumba, and Willy Mayambala.

EC acting spokesperson Paul Bukenya said besides the signatures, other requirements for nominations include a minimum academic standard of A'level or its equivalent and a fee of sh20m.

Find a deep dive in Friday's edition of the New Vision