{UAH} Mbabazi has officially written to the Electoral Commission
|
5:30 AM |
No comments |
Ex-prime minister Amama Mbabazi has officially written to the Electoral Commission introducing himself as an aspiring presidential candidate. In the June 16th letter, Mbabazi also details his countrywide consultation program in preparation for his nomination.
Section 3 of the Presidential Elections Act 2005 allows an aspiring presidential candidate to within twelve months before the nomination date. The same section requires the aspirant to introduce himself or herself to the Commission and notify the relevant local council and the police of the area to which, he or she goes.
The Electoral Commission security registry acknowledged receipt of the letter on June 16th. According to the program that runs through the entire month of July, Mbabazi intends to start his consultation in Mbale on Thursday July 9 followed by Soroti and Moroto on Friday and Saturday respectively.
Meanwhile, Mbabazi's legal team has written to the Electoral Commission reacting to a statement attributed to the commission Spokesperson Jotham Taremwa warning the ex-premier on early campaign. According to the letter signed by four legal firms, Taremwa was quoted by Daily Monitor saying EC doesn't know Mbabazi because it had not yet released a program for the campaigns.
In the letter, Taremwa is quoted saying one can't say he wants to become president in 2016 before EC released a campaign program. However, Mbabazi's legal team, which is comprised of advocates from four legal firms, says the statement attributed to Taremwa is inconsistent with the law and cites section 1 of the Presidential Elections Act 2005, which defines an aspirant as "a person intending to stand as a candidate during the election for the office of the president".
They also argue that Mbabazi is mandated under Section 3 of the Presidential Elections Act 2005 to consult ahead of his nomination. This particular section provides for aspirants to hold nationwide consultations, prepare their manifesto and other campaign materials, fundraising through lawful means and convening of national delegate's conference.
The legal team argues that from the above provisions it is not a crime under Ugandan law for one to be or promote his presidential aspirations. "Your spokesperson is therefore not in order to claim that our client is out of order to propagate his presidential aspirations", reads the letter. It adds "In the same way his supporters are free to express their support for his presidential aspirations".
The team argues that such aspiration activities are intended to influence the political process in the forthcoming elections. They also observe that their client officially wrote to the Commission introducing himself as a presidential aspirant and therefore EC cannot feign ignorance on what he is doing. The advocate argues that as a superintendent of the electoral process in Uganda, Electoral Commission is duty bound to educate and create awareness amongst all Ugandans about the true position of Electoral laws. They however, note that EC is instead misrepresenting the law and thereby inciting violence against their client and his supporters. Jotham Taremwa, the EC spokesperson declined to comment on the letter saying his office is yet to receive a copy. He promised to comment once his office is availed with a copy of the letter.
The letter is jointly signed by Muwema and Company advocates, Akampurira and Partners, Mugisha and Company Advocates and Twinobusingye Severino and Company advocates. The letter is copied to the attorney general, Director of Public Prosecutions and Inspector General of Police.
On Monday, Amama Mbabazi declared his presidential bid prompting his supporters to take to the streets in jubilation. However, their celebrations were short-lived as police swung in action and started confiscating some of the campaign materials issued by Mbabazi's teams. Some of the supporters were also picked up and arraigned in court various charges. ends.
--
-- Section 3 of the Presidential Elections Act 2005 allows an aspiring presidential candidate to within twelve months before the nomination date. The same section requires the aspirant to introduce himself or herself to the Commission and notify the relevant local council and the police of the area to which, he or she goes.
The Electoral Commission security registry acknowledged receipt of the letter on June 16th. According to the program that runs through the entire month of July, Mbabazi intends to start his consultation in Mbale on Thursday July 9 followed by Soroti and Moroto on Friday and Saturday respectively.
Meanwhile, Mbabazi's legal team has written to the Electoral Commission reacting to a statement attributed to the commission Spokesperson Jotham Taremwa warning the ex-premier on early campaign. According to the letter signed by four legal firms, Taremwa was quoted by Daily Monitor saying EC doesn't know Mbabazi because it had not yet released a program for the campaigns.
In the letter, Taremwa is quoted saying one can't say he wants to become president in 2016 before EC released a campaign program. However, Mbabazi's legal team, which is comprised of advocates from four legal firms, says the statement attributed to Taremwa is inconsistent with the law and cites section 1 of the Presidential Elections Act 2005, which defines an aspirant as "a person intending to stand as a candidate during the election for the office of the president".
They also argue that Mbabazi is mandated under Section 3 of the Presidential Elections Act 2005 to consult ahead of his nomination. This particular section provides for aspirants to hold nationwide consultations, prepare their manifesto and other campaign materials, fundraising through lawful means and convening of national delegate's conference.
The legal team argues that from the above provisions it is not a crime under Ugandan law for one to be or promote his presidential aspirations. "Your spokesperson is therefore not in order to claim that our client is out of order to propagate his presidential aspirations", reads the letter. It adds "In the same way his supporters are free to express their support for his presidential aspirations".
The team argues that such aspiration activities are intended to influence the political process in the forthcoming elections. They also observe that their client officially wrote to the Commission introducing himself as a presidential aspirant and therefore EC cannot feign ignorance on what he is doing. The advocate argues that as a superintendent of the electoral process in Uganda, Electoral Commission is duty bound to educate and create awareness amongst all Ugandans about the true position of Electoral laws. They however, note that EC is instead misrepresenting the law and thereby inciting violence against their client and his supporters. Jotham Taremwa, the EC spokesperson declined to comment on the letter saying his office is yet to receive a copy. He promised to comment once his office is availed with a copy of the letter.
The letter is jointly signed by Muwema and Company advocates, Akampurira and Partners, Mugisha and Company Advocates and Twinobusingye Severino and Company advocates. The letter is copied to the attorney general, Director of Public Prosecutions and Inspector General of Police.
On Monday, Amama Mbabazi declared his presidential bid prompting his supporters to take to the streets in jubilation. However, their celebrations were short-lived as police swung in action and started confiscating some of the campaign materials issued by Mbabazi's teams. Some of the supporters were also picked up and arraigned in court various charges. ends.
--
H.OGWAPITI
-----------------------------------------------------
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
---Theodore Roosevelt
-----------------------------------------------------
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
---Theodore Roosevelt
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com or Abbey Semuwemba at: abbeysemuwemba@gmail.com.
0 comments:
Post a Comment