back to top
HomeNewsLawyer Ssemakadde: EC Digital Campaigns Directives For 2021 General Elections Are Unlawful,Unacceptable

Lawyer Ssemakadde: EC Digital Campaigns Directives For 2021 General Elections Are Unlawful,Unacceptable

Published on

- Advertisement -spot_img

The Electoral Commission yesterday released a statement and roadmap for 2021 elections containing a reference to the conduct of candidates’ campaigns digitally for Local government, Parliamentary and Presidential Elections.

This raised a serious matter of national importance that must be urgently addressed by Parliament and the Judiciary, if need be.

This novel practice has been hastily imposed on the people without parliamentary oversight or input, and as things stand it amounts to an illegality and a nullity.

It is not yet clearly defined by the EC, as to what is meant by campaigning digitally. This is blatantly unusual, improper, irrational, unlawful and unacceptable.

The people are ENTITLED TO KNOW what this practice entails, and whether it’s feasible in Uganda’s circumstances.

The EC has created more questions than answers:

What safeguards have been incorporated in this practice to ensure due compliance with the requirements of “free and fair elections” as enshrined in the Constitution?

For instance, what are the safeguards against unfair advantage to some people?

How and when was this practice conceptualised by the EC?

Who did the EC consult?

What is the legality of this practice of *campaigning digitally*?

Under what law has it been introduced?

Doesn’t this practice call for additional legislation to bring it in conformity with democracy, human rights and other constitutional values?

These questions must be answered by the EC as a matter of urgency, otherwise the legality of the forthcoming elections is likely to be indelibly tainted by this unfortunate development.

Isaac Ssemakadde
CEO, LEGAL BRAINS TRUST

Related

Bobi Wine Hatched Plot To Eliminate Us Before Mpuuga’s 500M Saga- MP Ssegona,Vows To Consult Busiro East Voters

Busiro East MP Hon. Medard Lubega Sseggona has announced plans to consult his constituents...

Uganda,US Sign Pact To Supply AIDS Injectable Drugs

The US State Department announced today that it will introduce the HIV-prevention drug lenacapavir...

Inspire Africa Group To Launch Inaugural Coffee Products On International Coffee Day

In a landmark development for Uganda’s coffee industry, Inspire Africa Group (IAG) will officially...

Hakim Kyeswa: NUP’s Confusing Flagbearers Selections; An Opportunity for NRM Discipline and Strategy

By Hakim Kyeswa (NRM Cadre, Former CEC Candidate) The recent process of selecting flag bearers...

More from The Capital Times

Business Boom In Namugongo Ahead Of Martyrs Day

Business has picked up this morning at Namugongo Martyrs shrine according to traders. The...

Here is why the Faras Uganda is the Ultimate Convenience Mobility App for Every Ugandan

Kampala, Uganda – In a fast-paced world where time is increasingly precious, Ugandans are...

Museveni Inaugurates De Heus State Of The Art Fish Feed Factory In Njeru, Buikwe

Njeru, Jinja: De Heus Animal Nutrition, a global leader in animal feed solutions, has...