Ugandan EC faces pushback from clergy over polling station restrictions

The Electoral Commission (EC) and the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) are at odds over a directive requiring voters to leave polling stations immediately after casting their ballots.

During a meeting attended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abas Byakagaba, accompanied by the Director of Operations Services, Frank Mwesigwa, EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama failed to convince IRCU leaders why voters should be compelled to leave polling stations after voting.

IRCU leaders, including Church of Uganda Archbishop Dr Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, Pastor Joseph Sserwadda, Pastor Joshua Lwere, and Mufti Shaban Mubaje, questioned why the EC was issuing a directive they say contradicts the law, which allows voters to remain at least 20 metres away from polling stations.

"We are not convinced by the EC's explanation," Pastor Joshua Lwere said.

In response, Justice Byabakama argued that enforcing the 20-metre rule could lead to unnecessary congestion around polling stations. He said voters would be allowed to return later to witness the counting of votes but should not remain at polling stations throughout the day. "Each candidate has appointed agents whom they trust. We will also have election observers at every polling station, in addition to police officers inside the polling stations to witness the process," Byabakama said.

However, IRCU members, including Pastor Sserwadda and Archbishop Kaziimba, questioned why citizens willing to remain at polling stations to observe the voting process should be prevented from doing so. Pastor Sserwadda warned that chasing voters away after they cast their ballots fuels suspicion and raises fears of electoral malpractice.

The meeting also addressed concerns over the heightened presence of the military during the campaign period. IGP Byakagaba explained that he had invited sister security agencies, including the military, to support the police. "I invited the military to support us during this campaign period. They did not deploy themselves. I have also invited the Prisons Service to assist us. The law mandates me to invite sister security agencies where the need arises. In fact, I can even invite civilians to help," Byakagaba said.

IRCU leaders questioned the need for military involvement, citing allegations of human rights abuses against opposition supporters. The police and military have faced criticism for alleged abuses, including beating, shooting, teargas use, and arrests of National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters. Over 200 NUP supporters have been arrested, charged, and remanded, while several others are nursing injuries.

The IRCU leaders urged the EC and security agencies to ensure a peaceful and transparent electoral process, emphasizing the importance of voter observation and participation. The meeting ended with the IRCU leaders expressing concerns about the EC's stance on voter observation and the security agencies' role in ensuring a free and fair election.