Uganda's Opposition Reject Roadmap Declared By EC ahead of 2021 general elections

By Musaazi Hamza

Kampala, Uganda (RTN) -Earlier on Tuesday this week, a roadmap to the country’s 2021 general elections was proclaimed.

However public rallies were banned in order to avoid the spread of the corona virus among the masses.

The chairperson Electoral Commission (Simon Byabakama) said;

“The commission will avail nomination forms on its website that can be printed by those with access to the internet”

He emphasized that all campaigns will be carried out through the media.

The amended roadmap;

        

NO	ACTIVITY	PERIOD
1.	Political  party and organization to identify flag bearers	22- 21 July 2020
2.	Deadline for resignation by public servants wishing to participate in special interest groups (SIGs) committees Elections	June  29, 2020
3.	Deadline for establishment of academic papers with the Electoral Commission by candidates for Local Governments	July 7,2020
4.	Deadline for resignation by public servants aspiring to contest for parliamentary elections	July 12, 2020
5.	Nomination of village SIGs (Older persons, Persons with Disability and Youth) Committees candidates	August 5, 2020
6.	Deadline for resignation by public servants aspiring to contest for Local Government Councils Elections	August 6, 2020
7.	Deadline for resignation by public servants aspiring to contest for SIG representative to Parliament	August 7, 2020
8.	Nomination of candidates for Local Governments including SIGs	September 7-17, 2020
9.	Candidates’ campaign digitally for Local Government	September 28, 2020- January 8,2021
10.	Deadline for resignation by public servants aspiring to contest for Presidential Elections	October 31,2020
11.	Candidates’ campaign digitally for parliamentary Elections	October 20,2020- January 8,2021
12.	Nomination for presidential elections	November 2-3, 2020
13.	Harmonization of campaign program and signing of memorandum	November 4-9, 2020
14.	Candidates’ campaign digitally for presidential elections	November 10, 2020- January 8, 2021
15.	Polling period for General Elections	January 10- February 8, 2021

Despite the fact that the roadmap was proclaimed, opposition parties haven’t welcomed it saying that they were not consulted.

Asuman Basaalirwa (JEEMA president) also head of the Inter-Party Organization that brings together all political parties with representation in Parliament-

He said (Basaalirwa);

“The scientific way of beseeching for votes via media is not stated in the constitution of Uganda and therefore it can’t apply”

However due the many objections arising from opposition parties propounding as to why they were not consulted,

Jotham Taremwa- spokesperson Electoral Commission replied;

“We don’t have to put it on a public vote for the EC to conduct an election or not. We don’t have to call the civil society or political parties or the business people and ask them whether we should organize an election or not. We however, recognize stakeholders and at some point we shall reach out to them”