The Electoral Commission has stirred fresh drama after once again telling voters to “vote and leave” the polling stations , a message that has set some presidential camps on fire. During a heated meeting with agents, EC boss Justice Simon Byabakama admitted the law allows voters to stand 20 metres away from the basin-style polling […]
The Electoral Commission has stirred fresh drama after once again telling voters to “vote and leave” the polling stations , a message that has set some presidential camps on fire.
During a heated meeting with agents, EC boss Justice Simon Byabakama admitted the law allows voters to stand 20 metres away from the basin-style polling booth but claimed there is simply no space at many polling stations.
“Some stations are squeezed on verandas and shop fronts. We even block roads to create room. Our guidance had no bad intentions.” he said.
The tension comes as the once calm campaign season has exploded into chaos. Tear gas. Live bullets. Clashes. Injuries. Even deaths.
Ugandans have watched rallies turn into running battles as police crack down on processions.
Some candidates have accused police of acting like the country is “in a war zone,” but the force hit back, insisting they are only enforcing the law.
The Director Operations at the Uganda Police Force AIGP Frank Mwesigwa says the police is operating within its legal mandate by enforcing the law using teargas, firing live bullets, bolting teargas and using canine dogs among others.
He further insisted that the police is not using excessive force during its operations but is responding to some violent elements who have resorted to defying guidelines and those attacking security operatives.
When questioned about police playing double standards by allowing some candidates hold processions while denying others the liberty to do so, he said processions can be permitted if a candidate seeks clearance from the police, as some candidates do.
“No excessive force. If a supporter commits a crime, we act. Processions are legal but must be regulated. Everyone must seek clearance. We guide all processions.” he said
On crowd control, the EC and police made it clear: candidates can wave to cheering fans but no big crowds escorting them from one point to another. Agents were instructed to warn supporters that they attract security when they trail candidates in huge numbers.
The EC also warned presidential candidates to stop campaigning after 6 p.m. or face sanctions.
In a bid to avoid chaos on voting day, the Commission quietly increased polling stations to over 50,000 and cut voter numbers per station to about 600–700. Each station will now have two biometric machines to speed things up.
The EC desperately appealed for calm, warning that “no election is worth a life.”
They demanded investigations into all violent incidents.
