Uganda’s Electoral Commission is warning all political parties and civil society groups that they would be flouting the country’s laws if they engage in early political campaigns before an official declaration. “We released a road map clearly ahead of the elections, [and] we indicated activities and their time frame,” said Jotham Taremwa, commission spokesman. Because nominations have not yet been made, “whoever is posing as a candidate is out of order.”
“We don’t want the public to be stampeded by people who want to stand,” he added, noting that candidates “must be duly nominated by the electoral commission. And it is not a matter of presenting yourself to the electoral commission for nomination. You must fulfill certain requirements.”
Taremwa’s comments came after former Prime Minister Patrick Amama Mbabazi wrote a letter to President Yoweri Museveni, officially declaring his intention to challenge him for the presidential nomination of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Full Article: Uganda Electoral Body Warns Against Early Campaigning.