The Electoral Commission (EC) has cleared Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine to carry out consultations across the country as part of his bid to stand as a presidential candidate in 2021
On December 3, Kyagulanyi wrote a letter to the Electoral Commission informing them of his plans to carry his consultations across the country saying that the time was ripe.
“He is free to carry out his consultations as long as they don’t turn into political rallies,” says Jonathan Taremwa Electoral Commission spokesperson.
The EC also cautions Kyagulanyi to conduct his consultations within the law. He is warned against distributing any campaign material. And advised seeking permission from the police and local council leaders for any area he wants to carry out the consultations.
Recently, Bobiwine wrote to the Electoral Commission (EC) declaring his intention to contest for presidency in 2021, against President Yoweri Museveni.
In his letter to the EC dated December 3, 2019, titled RE: NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONDUCT CONSULTATION, Bobi Wine notified the EC that he is to kickoff nationwide consultations among his People Power supporters and other Ugandans across the country.
Letter reads:
I write to inform you that I intend to stand for the position of President of the Republic of Uganda in the 2021 General Election under Article 103, of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995.
Section 3(1), of the Presidential Elections Act (2005), provides that an aspirant may consult in preparation for his or her nomination as a presidential candidate within 12 months prior to his nomination.
I have perused the General Election Roadmap issued by the Commission and it indicates that nominations for presidential candidates will take place on August 20, 2020, which is less than 12 months.
Section 3(2), of the Act, provides that while consulting, a presidential candidate may carry out nationwide consultation, prepare his or her manifesto and other campaign materials, raise funds for his or her campaigns through lawful means, as well as convene meetings of national delegates.
I now write in line with Section 3(3) to introduce myself to you as an aspiring presidential candidate and accordingly notify you of my intention to carry out nationwide consultation.
I also intend to carry out the other activities envisaged in the Act, as stipulated above. As I intend to carry out these consultations in phases, I hereby attach the schedule for my first phase of consultations. “
However, it is not yet clear whether the police will allow Bobi Wine to conduct consultations because he was banned from holding any political rallies and in the recent, the police have dispersed all rallies and or events organized by Bobi Wine.
