Kampala — THE Electoral Commission (EC) yesterday issued guidelines that would direct the 2006 presidential campaigns.

At a briefing for the candidates at the EC headquarters in Kampala, Commissioner Jenny Okello, who represented the EC chairman, Dr Badru Kiggundu, said the guidelines were binding to all stakeholders in the electoral process.

He asked all the candidates to adhere to them.

The guidelines include the manner and period during which campaigns will be conducted, synchronisation of candidate's campaign programmes, security, rights of candidates, caution against sectarian campaigns and interference with campaigns of other candidates, among others.

In addition to the Shs20 million, the EC has also facilitated each presidential candidate with a vehicle, its driver, a pickup and police escorts. The EC secretary, Mr Sam Rwakoojo, handed over the Land cruisers and Mitshubishi Pajeros to the candidates or their agents.

Bwanika and Sebaggala drove away in their dark green Land cruisers registration number UAG 019K and UAF 649L respectively. The rest got dark green Pajeros. Mr Yoweri Museveni, UG 0301B, Col. Kizza Besigye, UG 0302B, Mr Ssebaana Kizito, UG 0303B, and Ms Miria Obote got UG 0304B.

Rwakoojo, however, said it was not possible for the candidates to have their own drivers as they had requested because "they are government vehicles."

He said the Commission would not give cash to the presidential aspirants and instead asked them to submit names in which bank drafts would be written for them.

Candidates are free to solicit financial support.

Rwakoojo said candidates would fuel the vehicles at their own expenses while the Commission would cater for the service and fuel for the security picks up vehicles given to them.

The Commission has also come up with a code of conduct for political parties during the campaign process.

It aims at ensuring tolerance and promotion of democratic principles between and among candidates and their supporters.

Okello said the draft code was forwarded to the Attorney General, Mr Khiddu Makubuya, to give his input after which it would be put before Parliament.

"The code of conduct shall be binding on all stakeholders. If adhered to, we shall realise the fruits of free and fair elections in a multi party-dispensation," she said.

Okello said the Commission had introduced a complaints desk to handle administrative issues brought by registered parties or candidates. Commissioner Steven Ongaria, will head the desk.

A National Interparty Liaison committee has also been set up to facilitate information flow and discussion of emerging issues during the campaigning process and resolution of conflicts that may arise. Participating political parties and independent candidates will have two members to sit on the committee.

The commission has also asked candidates to send their agents to the various display centres to monitor the display exercise of the voters register that will start on December 22 to January 11, 2006.

At the briefing, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Vice-Chairman, Hajji Moses Kigongo, lost his cool when some Presidential candidates expressed misgivings about what they referred to as unsatisfactory preparations.

Dr Abed Bwanika, an independent candidate, attacked the NRM agents for not saying a word while the other parties were expressing their concerns.

A visibly irate Kigongo promptly shot back, "We are here to listen to the briefing being given by the EC officials and the Police. We are not here to say what is not required. I am not complaining."