Earlier this week, the Electoral Commission released a revised 2021 Election Roadmap that imposed a ban on public rallies as a preventive measure against the spread of COVID-19. All candidates will be required to use media platforms and social media to reach out to voters in what is now referred to as a scientific election.
The said scientific election has received massive criticism from the various opposition camps with some saying they were not consulted yet they are stakeholders while others say the new normal of the election will only favour the regime especially when it comes to the Presidential race.
While appearing on NTV’s On the Spot, Opposition Chief Whip, Hon Ssemujju Nganda warned that if the upcoming election is not well-handled, it will cause more deaths in Uganda than COVID-19.
The Kira Municipality legislator said that at the moment it is impossible to hold an election when half of the country is still under strict lockdown.
“If half of the country is still under lockdown and another half is under some lockdown conditions, the discussion should be on whether we should have elections and how campaigns will be conducted,” Ssemujju said.
“How do I reach Adjuman, Rukunguri where vehicles are not allowed due to a lockdown,” he added.
Ssemujju said campaigning on TV or radio is strange because the candidate is not sure about the kind of people he/she is talking to.