EC sets date for presidential campaigns, elections

The Electoral Commission (EC) boss, Justice Simon Byabakama, has set Monday as the commencement date for the presidential campaigns for the 2021 General Election which will end on January 12, 2021.

The dates coincide with Parliamentary campaigns and polling dates. Justice Byabakama appealed to all stakeholders to ensure that they work within the law and set guidelines to avoid confrontation from either side.

“Following the conclusion of nominations, the commission this morning (yesterday) appointed November 9 until January 12, 2021, for conducting campaign meetings across the country,” Justice Byabakama said.

Justice Byabakama explained that candidates are free to launch their manifestos before campaigns begin on Monday.

He, however, reiterated that all political candidates must adhere to the standard operating procedures to prevent further spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

A total of 11 presidential candidates were nominated over a two-day exercise that was concluded on Tuesday.

But several other presidential aspirants who had earlier picked their supporter forms for verification were not nominated for failure to comply with the commission’s requirements.

Mr Dan Matsiko, one of the aspirants, arrived at Kyambogo University where the EC had been conducting the nominations past 5 pm yet the activity was closing at 4 pm.

He accused EC officials of delaying the process to knock him out of the race.

“I wrote to the chairman on November 2 that his officers were frustrating me. I did not get a response. I went back today (Tuesday) and there was one officer handling all our complaints. At some point, they said the computers were not working so we waited.

They then printed my clearance at 4:36 pm and told me to go to Kyambogo,” Mr Matsiko asked at the Kyambogo security point.

Justice Byabakama, however, said all those who were interested followed the rules and were nominated.