{"id":2398,"date":"2021-01-10T21:46:09","date_gmt":"2021-01-10T18:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/?p=2398"},"modified":"2021-01-11T18:26:46","modified_gmt":"2021-01-11T15:26:46","slug":"new-electoral-commission-guidelines-for-the-14th","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/new-electoral-commission-guidelines-for-the-14th\/","title":{"rendered":"The new Electoral Commission guidelines limit use of cameras and other devices ahead of UG 2021 elections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Through Twitter, a statement has been issued on the new <a href=\"http:\/\/ec.or.ug\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Electoral Commission<\/a> guidelines that will be followed regarding the use of cameras and other devices at different polling stations on election day this week. In a Twitter thread, the Electoral Commission has explained how the use of particular devices will be regulated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also read:<a href=\"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/ec-receives-biometric-voter-verification-machines\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\"> Electoral Commission receives 38,500 biometric voter verification machines to avoid voter fraud.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Guidance on Use of Cameras and Other Recording Devices Inside Polling Stations. THREAD;<\/p>&mdash; Electoral Commission- Uganda (@UgandaEC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UgandaEC\/status\/1348138306693967877?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">January 10, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This comes after many voters have claimed that their phones or cameras will be one of the most essential requirements come Thursday. We live in the digital era and you cannot deny the power of the internet as people have progressed to taking pictures and videos of certain events which has certainly made people accountable for their actions because of crystal clear evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read also: <a href=\"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/apply-now-for-uganda-tech-engineers-challenge-2020\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Apply now for the Uganda Tech Engineers Challenge 2020 <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People have aired concerns over the restrictions in the Electoral Commission guidelines on the use of cameras and other devices on election day as observed during the pre-election period. The Electoral Commission says it took note of this and that is why it has taken the liberty to guide people in their various capacities on the use of these devices on that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The statement issued about the Electoral Commission guidelines is as follows:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">1. Given the nature of our polling booth, which is an open basin, the presence of cameras in side polling stations may jeopardise the secrecy of the ballot, due to uncontrolled use of cameras and other recording devices;<\/p>&mdash; Electoral Commission- Uganda (@UgandaEC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UgandaEC\/status\/1348138312473735170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">January 10, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>According to this statement, it looks like the Electoral Commission guidelines are only regulating the use of cameras and other recording devices to ensure anonymity and secrecy which is the clear cut principle of a secret ballot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">2. Please note that the secrecy of the ballot is aimed at ensuring that a vote is anonymous and cannot be traced back to the person who cast it. A secret ballot is, therefore, fundamental in achieving peaceful, free and fair elections;<\/p>&mdash; Electoral Commission- Uganda (@UgandaEC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UgandaEC\/status\/1348138314486972418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">January 10, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption>The EC believes that the elections can only be held in a free and fair manner if the ballot cannot be traced back to the person who cast it and by sharing photos or videos of ballot papers, this principle could be compromised.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">3. While phones are not prohibited at polling stations, they must not be used for recording purposes or taking photographs inside the polling stations (the cordoned-off area);<\/p>&mdash; Electoral Commission- Uganda (@UgandaEC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UgandaEC\/status\/1348138316378603521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">January 10, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption>Gadgets or recording devices will not be prohibited, its the manner in which they will be used that will be regulated. Taking pictures inside the polling stations will not be allowed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">4. A voter must not display his\/her choice of a candidate on polling day by taking a photograph, including a selfie, or recording a video of his\/her marked ballot paper;<\/p>&mdash; Electoral Commission- Uganda (@UgandaEC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UgandaEC\/status\/1348138318417047552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">January 10, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption>No voter will be allowed in any way whether by taking a photo or a selfie, or recording a video display their choice of a candidate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">5. Similarly, a voter must not display his\/her choice of a candidate on polling day by marking his\/her choice on the ballot paper in the open, outside the basin which has been provided for secrecy.<\/p>&mdash; Electoral Commission- Uganda (@UgandaEC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UgandaEC\/status\/1348138320333840385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">January 10, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption>Voters are only allowed to mark their choices of candidates within the basin that will be provided. No one is supposed to mark outside it. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">6. These measures are in line with Article 68(1) of the Constitution which provide that all public elections (Presidential, General Parliamentary and Local Government Councils) shall be by secret ballot, save for Administrative Units (LC 1 and LC II) Elections;<\/p>&mdash; Electoral Commission- Uganda (@UgandaEC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UgandaEC\/status\/1348138322246434817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">January 10, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption>In one of it&#8217;s statements, it explains that using these gadgets to take photos or record videos violates the standard rule of a secret ballot which is clear cut in the Constitution which it quoted.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">7. Media personnel, who have been accredited to cover the elections, will be permitted to access polling stations and may take photographs of the voting process, but outside the cordoned-off area in a manner that protects the privacy of voters and the secrecy of the ballot.<\/p>&mdash; Electoral Commission- Uganda (@UgandaEC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UgandaEC\/status\/1348138324213567490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">January 10, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption>As it was during the campaigns, the EC insists that only accredited media personnel will be given permission to cover the events of that day. This means no free lance media might be allowed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">8. The counting of votes cast at each polling station will be conducted openly, and a voter or candidate\u2019s agent may take photographs or recordings of the counting process and\/or take a photograph or record the issued Declaration of Results Form.<\/p>&mdash; Electoral Commission- Uganda (@UgandaEC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UgandaEC\/status\/1348138326201663493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">January 10, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption>Recording devices will only be allowed to take photos or record videos when counting votes as the process will be conducted in an open manner for all to see.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>However, voters believe that these devices are required to capture all the events of that day as they will ensure transparency incase of any unethical behavior like rigging and voter fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/this-portable-playstation-4-is-a-real-piece-of-art\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">This portable PlayStation 4 is a real piece of art.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Through Twitter, a statement has been issued on the new Electoral Commission guidelines that will be followed regarding the use of cameras and other devices at different polling stations on election day this week. In a Twitter thread, the Electoral Commission has explained how the use of particular devices will be regulated. Also read: Electoral [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2400,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[468],"tags":[462,517,464],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/techrafiki.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/slide-image-2.jpg?fit=1000%2C412&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2398"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2398"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2398\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2432,"href":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2398\/revisions\/2432"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2398"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2398"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2398"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}