An image circulating on Facebook claims to show the ballot paper design for Uganda’s forthcoming general elections. The image shows the 11 candidates vying for the Office of the President.
Background
Ugandans expect to hold their general elections on January 14, 2021. The Ugandan Electoral Commission’s chairperson, Byabakama Mugenyi, issued a statement indicating that the eligible candidates had until January 12, 2021, to campaign.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic which has killed 191 people in Uganda and infected a total of 19,115 people as of November 25, the Commission issued electoral candidates with campaign guidelines.
Two presidential candidates were arrested for failing to comply with the guidelines. Piga Firimbi previously looked into false images claiming to show how police harassed Ugandans that protested the arrest of presidential candidates Robert Kyagulanyi and Patrick Amuriat.
Verification
However, the Electoral Commission has warned that the ballot paper circulating is not legitimate. In a tweet published on the Commission’s official handle, the public was informed that the design for the 2021 general elections ballot paper is not yet out.
FAKE NEWS: The post below that is making rounds on social media is FAKE. The Electoral Commission has not issued the ballot paper design for the 2021 Presidential Elections. Please disregard and treat it with the contempt it deserves. pic.twitter.com/g5hcGvjP9f
— Electoral Commission- Uganda (@UgandaEC) November 17, 2020
Verdict
The image claiming to show Uganda’s ballot papers for the 2021 general elections is FAKE.
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