The Electoral Commission (EC) has suspended the accreditation of the Citizen’s Coalition for Electoral Democracy (CCEDU) in Uganda.
In a letter written by EC Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama addressed to coordinator Crispy Kaheru, the electoral body accuses CCEDU of breaching the guidelines by disseminating biased information.
Byabakama quotes specific dates when CCEDU officials appeared on national television and castigated the ongoing LC1 electoral process, rallying Ugandans to snub the exercise which has happened after a very long time.
“On 2 July 2018, the Commission met with CCEDU to consider your application to partner with the Commission in conducting voter education for the ongoing electoral activities i.e. elections in Administrative Units and Women Councils/Committees and elections in the new Municipalities, Town Councils and Sub Counties.
CCEDU also applied to be accredited as Observers of the said elections,” the letter reads in part.
Mr. Byabakama adds; “In the said meeting the Commission expressed its concerns about the partisan manner in which CCEDU has been conducting itself in the past elections which contravenes the provisions of S 121 (i) ECA (Cap 140). CCEDU promised to revisit its work methods while in the field and in the press and adhere to the Election Observation Guidelines, for the benefit of all stakeholders in the electoral process.”
However, on July 4, 2018, a senior CCEDU communication official, who also attended the meeting at the Commission on 2nd Jul, Ms. Charity Ahimbisibwe, while on NBS TVs Morning Breeze — Topical Discussion segment, castigated the countrywide Village Women Council Committee elections that took place on 3rd July 2018 as a sham.
“This was contrary to the big turn up registered countrywide and the public interest and yearning to have these Councils/Committee elections conducted after such a long time.”
Byabakama says that CCEDU has among others proven that it does not adhere to the legal framework and Guidelines of the Electoral Commission and thus, “we are sceptical that it is in position to comply with objective voter education geared at promoting a process it does not believe in.”
The letter indicates that for many times CCEDU has defied EC by acting outside the election observation guidelines.
“This undermines objectivity and commitment in adhering to laid down standards of engagement as far as election related activities are concerned.”
Byabakama reminds Kaheru that EC and Uganda at large needs credible, honest and impartial partners to assess the electoral process and make pertinent recommendations.
“It is therefore upon this background that the Electoral Commission has suspended its relationship with CCEDU until further notice,” he notified.
Efforts to reach Mr. Kaheru for a comment were unsuccessful by the time of filing this report.
