Kampala: With the 2026 general election season now underway, the Electoral Commission (EC) has cautioned all aspiring candidates to strictly follow formal procedures when lodging complaints. The Commission emphasized that it will only entertain documented, evidence-backed petitions and will not act on grievances aired through social media platforms.
EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi underscored that the Commission is fully ready to execute the election roadmap. He reminded candidates that while campaigns are an important democratic exercise, they must operate within established rules and procedures.
“The EC does not respond to complaints posted on social media by aggrieved parties,” Mr. Mucunguzi reiterated. “Aspiring leaders should formally write to the Commission. We shall only handle properly filed complaints.”
The directive, however, drew immediate scrutiny from election analyst Charity Ahimbisibwe. She expressed doubts about the Commission’s complete grip on the process, pointing to inconsistencies during presidential nominations. “I don’t see the EC entirely in charge of the election. If you look at the Presidential nominations, the lists kept changing even on the last day,” she noted. Ahimbisibwe further advised that the EC enhance transparency by permitting a consortium of civil society observers to oversee all 42,000 polling stations across the country.
