‘Scientific Elections, Rallies, Physical And Open Voting’ Ugandans Oppose

By Nsunjo Erica

Uganda is supposed to be holding presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections next in 2021, however, the outbreak of COVID-19 may be a hindrance.

The country is battling with hot debates after the electoral commission announced its proposal of scientific elections come 2021, the idea was not welcomed by many.

According to the Electoral Commission, the country will not be in a position to handle the public rallies, gatherings, and confusions in case elections are to remain normal. The Commission claims that the lives of innocent citizens would be at stake due to COVID-19

Uganda partially locked down the before COVID-19 cases had hit 10, however with over 700 confirmed cases today, the lockdown is slowly being eased as social distancing and wearing of masks is emphasized

Uganda’s electoral commission claims that Uganda’s constitution tasks it to organize elections within 120 days before the expiry of the term of president, parliament or local government. Therefore A scientific kind of election would be best for the safest.

How The Scientific Elections are to be conducted.

All political aspirants at all levels will only be allowed to hold rallies and convince their supportive voters via radios, televisions, and social media platforms, this directly puts a ban on any form of the open Air campaign.

Uganda’s electoral commission suggests that any form of public gathering especially during campaigns that are to take a long time may expose citizens to high risks of being infected by COVID-19.

However, you may have thought that the whole Electoral process was to be scientific, No, Uganda’s president Museveni stated that the Voting is to be physical.

Museveni stated that the gathering for the elections themselves can be safely managed with hand-washing, social-distancing or leaving gaps of the necessary meters between voters in line. Does it make any sense?

Public Reactions

The Scientific election proposal hit Ugandans especially the Opposition like an abrupt blow. Ugandans cannot seem to understand the importance and aim of scientific rallies but physical and open voting.

Not surprising that the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the ruling party is in favor of the proposed scientific elections and vows to adjust its program accordingly,

Still not surprising for the opposition to oppose the proposal, the Opposition bitterly questions the Electoral Commission as to why they weren’t consulted before the whole idea was drafted.

Bobi wine, head of Uganda’s leading opposition laments that with the scientific elections, free and fair elections can not guarantee.

“President Museveni destroyed all safeguards for peace and crippled institutions and now he has brought this kind of campaign method. His stolen term ends May 2021; Uganda continues,” opposition veteran Kizza Besigye said.

Many Ugandans claim that the US with over a million cases is holding Rallies but Uganda with just 700 cases is to have a scientific election, they claim that this is an Open letter to rig Museveni back to the office.

“We unequivocally dismiss Museveni’s move to hold what he calls a ‘scientific election’, to yet again stage a coup & crown himself, life President. We must have a free & fair election. We have advised him not to provoke the PEOPLE of Uganda Bobi Wine said

Bobi Wine in an interview on NTV stated that the ruling party banned almost all radio and television stations from airing any messages especially political from the opposition. Bobi Wine adds that most of the rural districts in Uganda do not even have radios and televisions, so how will fair and free communication be guaranteed.

“Uganda is one of the most connected countries in Africa. We currently have about 309 radio stations and 36 television stations. Currently, about 90% of the country’s population have access to radio and 70% have access to television,” Uganda’s ICT and National Guidance Minister, Judith Nabakooba recently said.

Ugandans cannot seem to cope with this new proposed system, the proposal itself doesn’t make proper sense, Ugandans claim that it is a mockery for Museveni to call for Scientific elections but claim for physical and open voting.

What do you think about this Scientific Election proposal, leave your comment, your country may be next in line for it.