The Chairman Electoral Commission Justice Simon Byabakama has requested Security agencies implementing Covid19 directives to arrest any presidential and parliamentary candidates defying Covid19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) by holding processions and staging public gatherings in the wake of rising COVID19 community infections.
In a press statement released by the Commission on the conduct of candidates during Campaigns for 2021 General Elections which commenced on Monday 9th November 2020, Byabakama expressed concern that several candidates have defied the guidelines and SOPs.
“The Electoral Commission wishes to appreciate candidates who have organised and conducted public meetings in accordance with the Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for conducting campaigns in a COVID-19 environment. The Commission has, however, noted with concern that some candidates, including Presidential candidates,are holding their campaigns in a manner that violates the Guidelines for Conduct of Campaign Meetings,” the statement reads.
“Some candidates are mobilizing their supporters to gather at campaign venues in large numbers. It is important to note that The Public Health (Control of COVID-19) (Amendment No.3) Rules, 2020,issued on 9thNovember 2020, provides that gatherings for purposes of political meetings should not exceed two hundred (200)persons”, it adds.
Some candidates have conducted processions along public roads,through towns and trading centers and are also holding rallies in non-designated venues contrary to the campaign program. This is in violation of the Commission’s Guidelines that the campaigns should be conducted in observance of Standard Operating Procedures (social distancing, hand washing, and wearing of masks)and in designated places
Some candidates are making impromptu stopovers in trading centers, attracting and addressing public gatherings along busy highways from their car rooftops. These spontaneous public addresses are a violation of the Commission’s Guidelines which provides for conduct of campaign meetings only in the approved venues and in accordance with the harmonized campaign program.
Some candidates and their supporters are not wearing face masks during public meetings, which puts all participants, including the candidates, at the risk of contracting COVID-19.
The cumulative COVID-19 infection cases in Uganda stood at 14,704 with 133 deaths so far registered in the country.
The Commission insists that processions and public/mass rallies remain banned in accordance with the measures put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. All candidates contesting for various elective positions under the General Elections 2021, and all other stakeholders in the electoral process should conduct themselves in accordance with the Guidelines and strictly observe the measures issued.
Non-compliance with the Guidelines issued for the campaign period will necessitate intervention by law enforcing agencies, among other measures.
The statement further reads that the Commission wishes to emphasis that the health and safety of voters, their families, candidates, security personnel, the media and the general public should be of paramount consideration.
Presidential Candidates Robert Kyagulanyi and FDC’s Patrick Amuriat have defiantly insisted on carrying out processions and illegal rallies endangering the lives of Ugandans.