According to the chairperson of the accreditation committee, who is also deputy chairperson, Electoral Commission, Hajat Aisha Lubega, the EC accreditation center, based at Serena Kampala Hotel, was officially opened on December 22, 2020, and will receive and process approved applications up to Monday, January 11, 2021.
Section 16 (1) (a) of the Electoral Commission Act, gives the Commission powers to accredit representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, media, and any other duly registered institutions to observe electoral activities.
At least forty-nine (49) national and international organizations, diplomatic missions, and regional institutions have expressed interest in observing the elections, with the first category (Presidential and Parliamentary) scheduled for 14th January 2021.
Lubega clarified that the accreditation center will process applications for observation for the National Elections Results Tally Centre, as well as tally centers for Kampala Capital City, Wakiso, and Mukono districts.
Observers for other district tally centers across the country will be accredited by the respective District Returning Officers.
She also emphasized that accredited observers will have to comply with election observer guidelines and Code of Conduct issued by the Electoral Commission and with the Government of Uganda and Ministry of Health measures against the spread of COVID-19.