The Electoral Commission (EC) has issued a strong warning to individuals planning to mobilize crowds during the upcoming youth elections scheduled for tomorrow, stating that legal action will be taken against violators in accordance with the law.
Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, the EC Chairperson, made the remarks while addressing the press on the electoral guidelines ahead of the general elections next year.
Speaking from the Industrial Area in Kampala, Byabakama revealed that some aspirants are planning to bring in processions using vehicles during the youth elections.
He cautioned them to refrain from such actions and urged all youth voters to maintain peace and order as they exercise their right to vote.
Justice Byabakama further called upon public servants who wish to contest for various political positions to resign from their government posts before the nomination period starts, so as to avoid any conflicts of interest.
He also advised aspirants who attained their academic qualifications from foreign institutions to have their credentials verified by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) before the set deadline.
Addressing concerns from Ugandans about the conduct of security personnel during elections, Byabakama said that while the use of security forces in elections is unavoidable, they must not get involved directly in the electoral process. He emphasized that such involvement would be unconstitutional.
Additional guidelines presented include:
Presidential aspirants must submit their nomination papers by August 1st.
Parliamentary aspirants have until July 16th to submit theirs.
Those aspiring for district chairperson positions must do so by July 3rd.
The nomination fees also remain unchanged:
Presidential aspirants are required to pay UGX 20 million.
Parliamentary aspirants must pay UGX 3 million.