The Chairman of the Uganda Electoral Commission (EC) Justice Simon Byabakama has said the issue of postponing the 2021 elections has not occurred to them, because the constitution commands them to hold elections within a specific time-frame.
“Article 61, Clause 2 of the Constitution commands us to have elections, to uphold the sanctity of the article. It asks us to hold elections in the first 30 days, of the last 122 days of the last term of the government, COVID-19 or not, ” Justice Byabakama said, adding that “in those circumstances we must devise means amid challenges at hand to comply with constitutional requirements.”
He said as a result of COVID-19 therefore, no mass rallies will be allowed before the elections, and aspiring candidates will campaign using different media platforms only. “My appeal goes to media owners to avail opportunities to all the candidates for fair coverage,” he said at a press briefing on Tuesday..
Campaigns on radio and TV
Byabakama said the EC has been consulting with the Ministry of Health on measures required for an election to take place.
“After consultation with Ministry of Health, we have agreed on SOPS, and left out usual activities like mass campaigns that can be a danger. For voting, a voter must physically appear to vote, so we will also consider SOPS to enable this,” Justice Byabakama said.
NEW ROAD MAP
| No | Activity | Period |
| 1. | Political Party and Organisations to identify flag bearers | 22nd June – 21st July 2020 |
| 2. | Deadline for resignation by public servants wishing to participate in Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Committees Elections | 29th June 2020 |
| 3. | Nomination of Village SIGs (Older Persons, Persons with Disability and Youth) Committees Candidates (see attacheddetailed for progressive levels up to National) | 5th August 2020 |
| 4. | Deadline for establishment of academic papers with Electoral
Commission by aspiring candidates for Local Government |
7th July 2020 |
| 5. | Deadline for establishment of academic papers with ElectoralCommission by aspiring candidates for Parliamentary Elections | 11th August 2020 |
| 6. | Deadline for establishment of academic papers with ElectoralCommission by aspiring candidates for Presidential Elections | 1st September 2020 |
| 7. | Deadline for resignation by public servants aspiring to contest forParliamentary Elections | 12th July 2020 |
| 8. | Deadline for resignation by public servants aspiring to contest forLocal Government Councils Elections | 6th August 2020 |
| 9. | Deadline for resignation by public servants aspiring to contest forSIG Representative to Parliament | 7th August 2020 |
| 10. | Deadline for resignation by public servants aspiring to contest forPresidential Elections | 31st October 2020 |
| 11. | Period for nomination of candidates for Local Governments, including SIGs | 7th – 17th September 2020 |
| 12. | Nomination of Candidates for Parliamentary Elections | 12th – 13th October 2020 |
| 13. | Nomination of Candidates for Presidential Elections | 2nd – 3rd November 2020 |
| 14. | Harmonisdation of Campaign Programme and Signing ofMemorandum | 4th – 9th November 2020 |
| 15. | Conduct of candidates’ campaigns digitally for Local Government | 28th September 2020 – 8th January 2021 |
| 16. | Conduct of candidates’ campaigns digitally for ParliamentaryElections | 20th October 2020 – 8th January 2021 |
| 17. | Conduct of candidates’ campaigns digitally for PresidentialElections | 10th November 2020 – 8th January 2021 |
| 18. | Polling period for General Elections (exact polling dates to be appointed in due course) | 10th January – 8th February 2021 |
