The Electoral Commission boss Justice Simon Byabakama has said that the commission will soon formally respond to presidential hopeful Bobi Wine’s request to conduct consultations across the country. Byabakama who acknowledged receiving Bobi Wine’s letter said the commission will respond in line with its mandate.
In a letter dated 3rd December 2019, signed as Kyagulanyi Sentuma Robert and on the Parliament of Uganda letter head, Bobi Wine formally declared to the commission, his intention to stand for the presidency.
“I write to inform you that I intend to stand for the position of President of the Republic of Uganda in the 2021 General Elections under Article 103 of the institution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995,” his letter reads.
Bobi Wine writes that his consultations are organized to introduce him to the electorate and find out their views on his aspired bid.
“I now write in line with Section 3 (3) of the Act, to introduce myself to you as an aspiring presidential candidate and accordingly notify you of my intention to carry out nationwide consultations,” Bobi Wine further states.
As if in doubt that he will be permitted to carry out his consultations, Bobi Wine took to his Facebook page to express hope that he will be allowed to consult.
“Last week, we wrote to the Electoral Commission about our intentions to carry out nationwide consultations in preparation for the 2021 election. We are hoping that the Commission as well as the security agencies will do what is required of them by the law, and not seek to unduly interfere with our activities. Our schedule of activities will be made public soon,” his post reveals.
His spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi also posted about their intention to consult.
“We observed the law and wrote to the Electoral Commission and Police regarding our countrywide consultations. Our hope is that the law enforcers will not break the law by disrupting our lawful exercise,” Ssenyonyi wrote on his Facebook page.
In 2015, former presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi was barred from moving around the country to consult prior to the launch of his presidential bid.
