(Last Updated On: 20 June 2020)

Kagadi–20, June 2020: The decisions by the Electoral Commission (EC) to ban mass campaigns and face-to-face interactions between aspirants and voters, and putting emphasis on digital campaigns and later a scientific general elections for 2021 has not only met wider verbal criticisms but now facing legal action.

In a letter dated 16 June 2020, the Chairperson of the Uganda’s Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Byamukama, released a revised roadmap for electoral activities for 2020/2021general elections to the public.

The revised roadmap details how the forthcoming polls will be conducted, how campaigns should be done. All these are aimed at preventing mass spread of Covid-19 among the populations.

To other aspirants, the revised roadmap has been made to benefit a single candidate or perhaps incumbents, many of whom have previously interacted with their voters.

In his demand notice titled RE: DEMAND NOTICE/NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SUE VIDE REVISED ROADMAP FOR ELECTORAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE 2020/2021 GENERAL ELECTIONS dated 17, June 2020 to the chairperson of the EC and received by the Commission same day, Dr Diini Emmanuel Kisembo, an aspirant for Buyaga East MP and an aspiring candidate for NRM national vice chairperson for Western Region, using Walyemera & Co. Advocates avers;

“…..our client has been informed that you, in a letter dated 16 June 2020 and referenced Adm72/01, released a revised roadmap for electoral activities for 2020/2021 general elections to the general public. The said revised roadmap, in the guise of observing Covid-19 public guidelines, not only threatens but violates the citizen’s fundamental constitutional rights to vote, to elect their leaders and also to participate in public affairs. The revised roadmap also alludes to “scientific” elections campaign that will only be conducted through media, which is a blatant violation of electoral laws. As an electoral management body that is interested in holding free and fair general elections, you ought to have a sufficient consultation with all key stakeholders, before you roll out this “scientific” revised roadmap.

“We therefore demand that you schedule a meeting, where all key stakeholders are consulted on the most appropriate way forward on how to transparently carry out electoral activities in this period, within (2) two days from the date of receipt of this letter. Otherwise, our client will be left with no option but to sue you to protect his and other citizens’ fundamental constitutional rights….” Parts of the letter to EC reads.

On Thursday 18, June 2020, High Court (Civil Division) Kampala received a Misc Cause No. 122 of 2020 in which the applicant, Dr Diini Emmanuel Kisembo is suing Electoral Commission.

Read notice of motion below.