{UAH} I have watched the EC presser on its revised election roadmap.
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2:52 AM |
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By Edris Kiggundu
I have watched the EC presser on its revised election roadmap.
The EC chairman, Simon Byabakama (who took off some time to thank President Museveni for his wise guidance on Covid-19) has made it very clear that the 2021 campaigns shall be conducted 'scientifically' using various media platforms especially radio stations and TV stations.
The elections, too, will be conducted scientifically to conform to Covid-19 guidelines of social distancing etc..
You don't have to be a political pundit or genius to tell who the winner of the elections will be.
Whether it is presidential, parliamentary or local council election, the winner will be that individual who has lots of money, loads of political influence and who can control the media.
Byabakama's half-hearted pleas that media organisations should give all candidates equal platform while noble is just wishful thinking at its best.
Firstly, media organisations are businesses that have costs to meet and profit targets to hit.
Many are clearly going to reap big from this move.
And the bitter truth is whoever pays more or has more political influence will be given a bigger platform.
Secondly, we all know that there are political figures who can order for a closure of TV station or radio station and its promptly done by the security apparatus.
This has been done before even during elections (Radio Veritas in 2011).
In my view, I would rather that the election is postponed, even if for a year, until conditions are conducive for proper campaigns.
Should we have a messy election, EC is going to take the biggest blame. And rightly so.
Some people have argued that elections were never going to be free and fair even without Covid-19.
I agree. But with Covid-19 and the new measures, the election is just going to be a procession for one political group.
It will be the easiest 'victory' for the group but a pyrrhic one.
Byebyo!
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-- I have watched the EC presser on its revised election roadmap.
The EC chairman, Simon Byabakama (who took off some time to thank President Museveni for his wise guidance on Covid-19) has made it very clear that the 2021 campaigns shall be conducted 'scientifically' using various media platforms especially radio stations and TV stations.
The elections, too, will be conducted scientifically to conform to Covid-19 guidelines of social distancing etc..
You don't have to be a political pundit or genius to tell who the winner of the elections will be.
Whether it is presidential, parliamentary or local council election, the winner will be that individual who has lots of money, loads of political influence and who can control the media.
Byabakama's half-hearted pleas that media organisations should give all candidates equal platform while noble is just wishful thinking at its best.
Firstly, media organisations are businesses that have costs to meet and profit targets to hit.
Many are clearly going to reap big from this move.
And the bitter truth is whoever pays more or has more political influence will be given a bigger platform.
Secondly, we all know that there are political figures who can order for a closure of TV station or radio station and its promptly done by the security apparatus.
This has been done before even during elections (Radio Veritas in 2011).
In my view, I would rather that the election is postponed, even if for a year, until conditions are conducive for proper campaigns.
Should we have a messy election, EC is going to take the biggest blame. And rightly so.
Some people have argued that elections were never going to be free and fair even without Covid-19.
I agree. But with Covid-19 and the new measures, the election is just going to be a procession for one political group.
It will be the easiest 'victory' for the group but a pyrrhic one.
Byebyo!
--
"When a man is stung by a bee, he doesn't set off to destroy all beehives"
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