The Electoral Commission has banned the taking of photos and videos at the polling stations ahead of presidential elections slated for Thursday January 14, 2021.
“You are not allowed take a photo of a ballot paper even after you have marked it,” said Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama.
Justice Byabakama said the media will also not be allowed within the polling area to preserve the sanctity of the secret ballot.
“You know our voting booth is a basin and they then you come with your camera that is so powerful and you trail it on the voter and you capture this voter ticking or thumbprinting we cannot allow that,” said Byabakama.
He further added that all voters will be required to go home after voting in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“If you are going to encourage 1000 voters at that polling station to remain around, what are you doing? Be careful, you may end up losing your votes even because should these people start any chaos or confusion, at that polling station that leads to disruption, then forget what has come from that polling station,” he said.
Byabakama also revealed that there will be no wearing clothes with colours or portraits that represent any candidate.