During last week’s presidential and parliamentary elections, several polling stations faced challenges that include using the Biometric Voter Verification Kit (BVVK) machines owing to knowledge gaps, checking voter’s registers and guiding voters on how to proceed during vote casting.
Upon arrival at the polling station, voters are expected to join a queue and access a handwashing sanitizing zone. From here, they will go to the Biometric Voter Verification Kit (BVVK) table for verification. This process involves confirming if the person is of voting age and that their names appear on the voter's register.
It is stipulated in the Electoral Commission voter education handbook that “while voting is done in the open; marking the ballot is secret - your choice is secret (p.35).”
Robert Kyagulanyi, Mugisha Muntu, Willy Mayambala, John Katumba and Fred Mwesigye plus all independent candidates were neither hosted physically nor virtually by any of the five top radio stations in the region.
They say that a number of their activities have been blocked, and sometimes they are barred from using certain roads to reach their campaign venues on time while oftentimes, their team members are beaten, arrested, or injured during running battles with security personnel.
According to Paul Bukenya, the EC Manager Media and Public Relations, as of Tuesday 17, 2020 when the 14 days elapsed after presidential candidates were nominated and campaigns started, the commission did not receive a record from any of the presidential candidates.
Jotham Taremwa, the Electoral Commission’s Spokesperson says that the elections will be held in 149 villages and thirteen parishes which didn’t vote during last year’s local council elections.
Joachim Loduk, the Nabilatuk Sub county LC III chairperson who is currently caretaking the Town Council, says he doesn’t even know how much money was allocated to the town council this financial year.
Kirarira argued that as the country nears the election in 2021, it is important that the masses are properly sensitized to understand the legal framework governing elections in the country.
The certificate, which our reporter has seen, is dated April 25, 2019. Rwakooko says that it has been issued in accordance with the provisions of the Political Parties and Organisations Act Regulations, which among other things require at least
