EC boss decries violence in NRM primaries, says vice won't creep into general election

The chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Byabakama, has asked for the stringent action to be taken against perpetrators of violence during NRM primaries so that they can act as a warning to the general population.

His comments come after election observers and analysts expressed fear that the violence that has been witnessed in the NRM party primaries could be repeated in the general election if nothing is done as soon as possible.

https://nilepost.co.ug/2020/09/08/nrm-primaries-mps-want-party-to-convene-meeting-to-deal-with-chaos/

Byabakama made the remarks while releasing the programme for elections of special interest groups for the municipality, city division and local government levels.

"We need to start taking those measures in order to create a deterrent effect in our electoral process,"he said.

https://nilepost.co.ug/2020/09/08/fdc-the-violence-in-the-nrm-primaries-was-a-precursor-of-what-will-happen-in-2021/

He said if nothing is not done as early as possible, the same people who were involved in those violence threats may carry the vice to the forthcoming general polls.

Byabakama said the commission is now going to embark on a nationwide campaign against election violence ahead of the 2021 elections.

https://nilepost.co.ug/2020/09/06/museveni-speaks-out-on-chaos-during-nrm-primaries/

"We are now embarking on the programme of traversing the country, addressing various stakeholders. In the next few days we are going out across the country to send out the message loud and clear,"he said.

The Commission has set November 2 and 3 as the nomination date for presidential aspirants. The nominations will be conducted at Kololo independence ground in Kampala.

The nomination for youth, elderly and people with disabilities committees are set for 21st and 22nd September 2020.

The nomination of candidates for local government council elections are scheduled between 21st September and 1st October 2020.

The campaigns will start on 23rd September 2020 and the elections for older person committees will be held on 25th, 28th 2020.

Byabakama said the nomination exercise will be followed by scientific campaigns which will last up to the eve of polling day for the various elective positions.

“We feel challenged by the concerns that voter education is not visible enough. We are rising up to the challenge to address it and in the next few days we are going to see a different trajectory.