EC should organise free, fair election

The Sunday Monitor of November 22 carried stories of people who had been shot during the protests that took place in different parts of the country following the arrest of National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, in Luuka District on on Wednesday, November 18. 

Initially, the death toll seemed to stand at a one-digit number but as the police statements kept coming out, the number increased.

The stories that were carried in the Sunday paper were those of people who were going about their daily business, trying to eke a living, but ended up being shot dead.

Lives at their prime have been ended. The stories reminded all of us - the bystanders, protesters and the government, among others, that these were not merely bodies! These were our sons, daughters, sisters, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, aunts and friends. 

Hardly three weeks have passed since presidential candidates were nominated and started their campaigns, yet the high level of violence and brutality being witnessed in various parts of the country is saddening. 

Particular presidential candidates are continuously being pursued, harassed, arrested, and their supporters tear-gassed. While all candidates must comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the Electoral Commission to candidates, it is disturbing that particular presidential candidates are seemingly isolated and subjected to continuous harassment, arrests, and their supporters dispersed with teargas at nearly every stop they make. 

Yet pictures and video clips continue to show other candidates meeting or having huge crowds being mobilised on their behalf not being warned, blocked or dispersed even when they are not wearing masks or observing social distancing. 

The Electoral Commission (EC), whose mandate it is to ensure the campaign rules are followed, must speak where rules are being flouted either by Opposition or ruling party candidates.

It does not help our democratic process if the campaigns are not seen to be free fair yet the organ mandated to ensure fairness is not calling all the stakeholders to order.

If this country is to hold free, fair and credible elections, then government agencies tasked to play the role of organising the polls should do their work as spelt out in the Constitution. 

Otherwise, should campaigns continue to go the way they are, it will not be a far cry when later, people will call the forthcoming election a sham.

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