Let Court decide, CCEDU tells EC

In Uganda, election observers – both local and international have functioned unhindered since the 1980 elections but a wave of intolerance is creeping in. That is why the CCEDU case is critical. The case will be heard on Nov.09.

“There is a lot at stake. We have petitions that have not been heard. All these matters are pursued through the right channels,” Sewanyana says.

It all started on July 02, when the EC called for a meeting with CCEDU officials and complained about how the organisation had reported on the by-elections in Rukungiri which were characterized by misuse of state resources during campaigns, hate speech during campaigns, and voter intimidation.

The EC claims CCEDU pledged to rethink their work methods to fit in the election observation guidelines that the EC provides.

In his letter, Byabakama pointed out that just two days after this meeting a CCEDU official appeared on a TV talk show and castigated Village Women Council Committee elections that took place on July 3, as a sham.

“This was contrary to the big turn up registered countrywide and the public interest and yearning to have these Committee elections conducted after such a long time,” Byabakama said in the letter, “ The Commission needs credible, honest and impartial partners to assess the electoral process and make pertinent recommendations.”

A week later, the EC suspended CCEDU.  The letter from the EC Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama suspended them from conducting voter education and monitoring the LC elections that were to happen the next day, on July 10 and all the other proceeding elections until further notice.  Since then, it has been meetings after meetings and without reprieve for CCEDU.

Sewanyana says the EC insists CCEDU must show commitment that they report whatever they observe in a ‘non – partisan’ way.

“They don’t state how we should do it.  It’s not clear. They don’t want us to report the findings the way we see them,” he says.

When the Independent called the Electoral Commission, they failed to comment on the matter. But, according to Sewanyana, the aim of the meetings was to try to resolve their differences amicably.

Following a by-election in the western Uganda district of Buhweju, local NGO – Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) released a report calling for legal provisions that stipulate a timeframe for candidates to withdraw from an election race to deter any potential last minute withdrawals that may bear serious financial and logistical consequences on the respective electoral processes. One of the candidates, Alisson Byamukama an Independent had withdrawn just a day leaving two competitors – FDC’s Jane Frida Bwiruka and NRM’s Olivia Kwoyekyenga who emerged victorious.  The by election was held in 2013 after the woman MP Arinaitwe Karisa succumbed to a brain tumor.

In another by- election in Butambala, DP’s Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi trounced four others. Still, CCEDU reported two key findings – voter bribery and heavy deployment of security operatives. At one polling station – Gombe Play Grounds, the area LC1, Mr. Sulaiman Byekwaso was found distributing UGX 1,000 notes allegedly telling locals to vote for the NRM candidate, Kikulukunyu Faisal Ssali. In its recommendations, CCEDU urged the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Police to adhere to electoral laws while managing election security.

CCEDU has distinguished itself as the only local NGO that observes elections from start of preparation to vote tallying.  When they made recommendations after the Buhweju and Butambala by election, they had established just four years ago. Since then, the NGO has built a reputation of offering information, Election Day reporting and voter education which researchers have come to rely on. It also offers real time updates of what happens at polling stations to media houses.

To be able to do this, CCEDU boss Kaheru says, they ensure they are in an electoral area days before the election, are at the EC’s stores as early as 4am to be able to witness the dispatch of electoral materials to different stations, and leave tally centers only after final results are announced. Now the courts must decide whether the EC can indefinitely suspend CCEDU or any other election observer from doing exactly that.