You Would Have Consulted Us Before making such Decisions, IPOD To EC
Interparty Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), not happy with the Electoral Commission’s abrupt decision to suspend campaign meetings in over twelve districts ahead of 2021 general elections.
It should be noted that on Saturday 26th December2020, the Uganda Electoral Commission suspended campaign meetings in 12 districts including opposition’s strong holds, namely Kampala,Wakiso, Masaka, Jinja and Luweero districts.
While giving their end of year message to the nation yesterday at Kabira County Club Bukoto, IPOD expressed their feelings towards the electoral commission’s decision to suspend elections even without consulting the actors.
“Our take on this as IPOD,as you all aware , on 26th December 2020, EC announced the suspension of campaign meetings in 14 districts and as critical stakeholders of this electoral process, IPOD expected to be consulted since three of our member parties have presidential candidates running.” The statement read by the new organization chairperson Hon. Kasule Lumumba reads in parts.
“IPOD has written to Electoral Commission for further engagements on the subjects regarding the issues, how to go about with other non campaign activities that a political but critical for the elections which involves gatherings such as training the polling day agents, also to get clarity on polling day process in light of COVID-19 pandemic, the do and donts at the polling stations.” The statement continues.
The organisation also condemned the violence taking part in the on going campaigns especially at presidential level.
“We condemn violence in strongest teams, violence to everybody, both on media, political actors, security and citizens is condemned, people have a right to freedom.
If violence continues, both the guilty and innocent can be affected, those who are guilty no one has discovered that they are guilty and those who are innocent none has disclosed that they are. It’s your right to vote and your responsibility to protect your vote.”
Kasule also condemned the endless arrests of Ugandans and police not giving a reason as to why they are arrested.
“Arrests should not stop but give a reason for those arrests, inform the families of the victims why you taking their family member, tell them where you taking him or her, allow them to have access to the victim and even present the victim to court before the stipulated time required by law expires.”
IPOD also asked Ugandans to be careful concerning COVID-19 disease because it’s still in existence.