UGVotes2021: Byabakama expresses dismay towards candidates’ conduct in the recently commenced electoral campaigns, warns of strong measures

After commencement of the campaigns for Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Council elections on Monday 9^th November, the Electoral Commission has aired its displeasure with the candidates that are failing to follow the SOPs.

The Public Health (Control of Covid19) (Amendment No.3) Rules, 2020 require that gatherings for political meetings should be below 200 people. This, the EC notes, is not being followed. To this, some candidates have added the habit of conducting campaigns in non-designated areas contrary to the harmonized campaign programme it passed in an earlier press statement.

Further, the EC is dismayed by candidates stopping in trading centres and addressing public gatherings along the highways. This contravenes the requirement for the campaigns to be conducted in approved venues, times and dates under the harmonised programme.

Lastly, the EC notes in its statements that the candidates’ taking to not wear face masks while conducting campaigns puts them and their addressees at risk of contracting Covid19.

The EC reiterates the need to follow the guidelines that it set at the beginning for the candidates to follow. It warns that failure to abide by them will solicit intervention from law enforcing authorities as well as other unstipulated measures.

It goes without saying that the health and safety of the public is paramount.