By Spy Uganda
Kampala: The Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon has Thursday afternoon announced the elections and campaign dates for Members of Parliament and LCs in a press briefing held at the commission’s headquarters along Jinja road, Kampala.
The program released indicated a relaxation in the restrictions to candidates while carrying out campaigns, where at least a gathering of not more than 70 persons will now be allowed.
According to Byabakama, MPs shall campaign from November 9, 2020, to January 12, 2021, while City/District Local Government Councils (Mayors, Lord Mayors, Chairpersons & Councilors) will campaign from November 9, 2020, to January 18, 2021.
Elections for MPs are slated for January 14, 2021, while those for District Local Government Councils (District/City Chairpersons, Lord Mayors, Mayors, and Councilors) will be on January 20, 2021.
While addressing journalists, Justice Byabakama said that after successfully conducting nominations for Members of Parliament, candidates will have two months to campaign, before elections are held in January 2021.
“Following the conclusion of the nomination of candidates, and the harmonization of campaign programs by the Electoral Commission together with the candidates, the Electoral Commission has, in line with Section 18(1)(a) of the Parliamentary Elections Act appointed polling dates for the elections of Member of Parliament as January,14, 20201,” Byabakama said.
The Electoral Commission boss noted that candidates and venue owners must ensure that the campaign meeting venues are provided with hand-washing facilities and sanitizers and that the supporters attending wear face masks at all times while accessing and exiting the meeting venue.
According to Byabakama, candidates are advised to identify suitable venues within their constituencies for the meetings and notify the respective returning officers to inspect them together with police and the district Covid-19 task force to ensure observance of the set guidelines.
The program released indicated that City and District Local Government Councils including the Lord Mayors, Mayors, Chairpersons and councillors will conduct campaigns between November 9, 2020, and January 18, 2021, and polls will be conducted on January 20, 2021.
The municipality, city division chairpersons, and councillors will campaign between November 9, 2020, to February 23, 2021, and elections held on February,25 whereas sub-county/town/municipal division chairpersons and councillors will campaign between November 9 and February 1, 2021, and elections held on February 3, 2021.
Click Here For Full Campaign & Election Dates Document
According to the Electoral Commission, campaigns shall be conducted between 7.00 am and 6.00 pm; and in accordance with the harmonized candidates’ campaign program. Candidates and their agents have been warned against the use or publishing of any language or defamatory words, which incite public disorder, hatred, violence, or which threatens war.
