As the Electoral Commission (EC) is continuing to be on the receiving end of criticism for the released revised roadmap for the 2021 general elections, EC Spokesperson Jotham Taremwa has decided to try kicking back.
Early this week, political commentator Joseph Kabuleta punched holes in the roadmap before threatening to drag EC to court.
Through his lawyers, Walyemera and Company Advocates, Kabuleta noted that the Commission did not consult all stakeholders in drafting and eventual launch of the new roadmap.
“The revised roadmap in the guise of observing COVID-19 public health guidelines not only threatens but also violates the citizens’ fundamental constitutional rights to vote, to elect their leaders and also participate in public affairs,” Kabuleta said.
He added, “This revised roadmap also alludes to scientific election campaigns that will only be conducted through media which is a blatant violation of electoral laws.”
Kabuleta requested the Commission to hold a meeting with all stakeholders and failure to do so will push him to continue with filing a lawsuit.
However, Jotham Taremwa seems unmoved with Kabuleta’s intentions to sue as he labelled him ‘idle.’
“I think because Church is closed, Kabuleta has ventured into politics but every Ugandan has a right to go to court,” Taremwa said.
Taremwa explained that the Electoral Commission met every political party about the roadmap.
“Before we released the revised roadmap, everyone was demanding for the roadmap. Three days before we released the roadmap, one political party threatened to take us to court,” Taremwa said.
On meeting with President Museveni, Taremwa explained saying, “What is so wrong about meeting the president? We met the president appealing for election funding because according to the law, he is the substantive Minister for Finance.”