After bringing you expert observations that the 2021 general elction could be suspended on grounds of safety, it was only time that citizens took steps for their own safety. A ‘concerned citizen’ has applied to the High Court to have the 2021 general elections suspended due to fears of the Coronavirus.
The citizen, identified as Abbey Mgugu says ‘Uganda is a democratic country where Ugandans have liberty through elections to choose leaders of their choice citing that he is a spirited citizen who believes in the exercise of democratic rights freely.’
In documents filed before the Civil Division of High Court on Thursday afternoon by his lawyers of Sanywa, Wabwire and Company Advocates, Mr Mgugu argues that there is need for the government to closely monitor and gain control over the threat of the virus in the country before activities leading to the general elections.
“The social and political life if the country is threatened by the spread of a dangerous natural disaster Coronavirus rendering it necessary to declare a state of health emergence”, reads his affidavit attached to the application.
Mgugu adds that basing on the nature how the virus spreads, he believes that the Ugandan public will not freely exercise their political rights which is a crucial element of democracy due to the restricted movement and association which is of great public health concern.
His argument clings on the basis that the public stands a risk of lives that irreplaceable compared to a general election that can be postponed and held later.
The applicant now prays that the court to declares a state of health emergence in the country owing to the threat of virus and also suspend the 2021 general elections till such a time that the virus is nolonger a threat.
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