The Electoral Commission (EC) has moved to rein in campaign messaging it says could undermine electoral order, warning presidential candidates in the 2026 General Elections against urging supporters to stay at polling stations under the banner of vote “protection” or “demand.”
In guidance issued to all presidential candidates, the Commission expressed unease over slogans including “Kanoonye, Kalonde, Kakuume, Kabanje,” arguing that such messages blur the distinction between lawful participation and prohibited conduct at polling stations.
According to the EC, election laws clearly assign the duty of guarding a candidate’s interests to accredited personnel, not members of the public. EC Chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon said voter engagement must operate strictly within the legal framework governing polling and counting.
Quoting Section 35(1) of the Presidential Elections Act, the Commission noted that a candidate may be present in person or through representatives or polling agents at each polling station specifically to safeguard their interests during polling. It further cited Section 50(3), which allows candidates or their agents to be present throughout voting and counting for the same purpose.
“The responsibility of ‘protecting’ a candidate’s votes squarely lies with the polling agents deployed by the candidate at each polling station,” Justice Byabakama emphasized, adding that every candidate is entitled to deploy two polling agents per station.
The EC also addressed the campaign use of the word “kabanje” (demand), clarifying that the law does not permit voters to confront presiding officers over electoral documents. Referring to Section 53(1)(d) of the Act, the Commission said the duty to issue Declaration of Results (DR) forms rests solely with presiding officers and is fulfilled through candidates’ agents.
“It stressed that it is not the role of individual voters to demand DR forms from presiding officers.”
Beyond legal interpretation, the Commission warned of practical risks associated with prolonged presence of supporters at polling stations. It said encouraging voters or non-voters to remain within the 20-metre restricted zone during voting and tallying could fuel disorder, disputes, or violence.
The EC noted that many polling stations—especially in urban settings—operate in tight spaces, making crowd control and protection of ballot secrecy increasingly difficult when large numbers gather unlawfully.
“With multiple presidential and parliamentary candidates, each deploying agents, overcrowding at polling stations is a real risk,” the EC said, adding that the presence of large numbers of supporters adds no value to protecting candidates’ interests and instead puts the process at risk.
The Commission reiterated that voters should leave immediately after casting their ballots and may only return at 4:00 p.m. to observe vote counting, provided they comply with the 20-metre distance requirement.
“As a consequence, candidates are warned to desist from whipping up their supporters to remain near polling stations under the guise of protecting or demanding votes,” the EC stated, assuring candidates that the number of agents at polling stations is sufficient to safeguard their interests.
