Electoral Commission Boss Byabakama Announces Revised 2021 ‘Scientific Elections’ Roadmap

Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, the Chairperson of Uganda’s Electoral Commission (EC), has issued a revised road-map for the 2020/21’scientific’ elections.

The Commission, responsible for conducting elections, announced the schedule at its headquarters in the capital Kampala.

Chairperson Byabakama noted that the Covid19 lockdown and restrictions had cost the electoral process almost three months.

The shutdown had disrupted key activities, including the update and display of the National Voters Register and Registers of Special interest groups.

Elections of committee members for Persons with Disability (PwDs), Older Persons, Youth and Women Committees from Village to National Levels were not spared either.

“This was to be followed by other preparatory activities for elections of Local Government Councils, Members of Parliament and the President,” said Byabakama.

“The Electoral Commission postponed the above activities under the Roadmap, in response to measures introduced by Government to prevent the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.”

Despite rising Covid19 cases, the EC Chairperson insisted postponing the elections was not on the table for the commission.

“The idea of postponing the election is not for the EC to determine since the Constitution commands us to hold the elections within a specific period of time,” he explained.“

The issue of postponing the elections has not occurred to us because it is not in our mandate.”

Byabakama banned political rallies. Campaigning will be restricted to media channels.

REVISED 2020/21 ELECTION ROADMAP

• Political Party and Organisations to identify flag bearers: 22nd June – 21st July 2020
• Deadline for resignation by public servants wishing to participate in Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Committees Elections: 29th June 2020
• Nomination of Village SIGs (Older Persons, Persons with Disability and Youth) Committees Candidates (see attached detailed for progressive levels up to National): 5th August 2020
• Deadline for establishment of academic papers with Electoral Commission by aspiring candidates for Local Government: 7th July 2020
• Deadline for establishment of academic papers with Electoral Commission by aspiring candidates for Parliamentary Elections: 11th August 2020
• Deadline for establishment of academic papers with Electoral Commission by aspiring candidates for Presidential Elections: 1st September 2020
• Deadline for resignation by public servants aspiring to contest for Parliamentary Elections: 12th July 2020
• Deadline for resignation by public servants aspiring to contest for Local Government Councils Elections: 6th August 2020
• Deadline for resignation by public servants aspiring to contest for SIG Representative to Parliament: 7th August 2020
• Deadline for resignation by public servants aspiring to contest for Presidential Elections:  31st October 2020
• Period for nomination of candidates for Local Governments, including SIGs: 7th – 17th September 2020
• Nomination of Candidates for Parliamentary Elections: 12th – 13th October 2020
• Nomination of Candidates for Presidential Elections: 2nd – 3rd November 2020
• Harmonisation of Campaign Programme and Signing of Memorandum: 4th – 9th November 2020
• Conduct of candidates’ campaigns digitally for Local Government: 28th September 2020-8th January 2021
• Conduct of candidates’ campaigns digitally for Parliamentary Elections: 20th October 2020 – 8th January  2021
• Conduct of candidates’ campaigns digitally for Presidential Elections: 10th November 2020 – 8th January  2021
• Polling period for General Elections (exact polling dates to be appointed in due course): 10th January – 8th February 2021