The Electoral Commission (EC) has asked the High Court in Kampala to de-register 10 political parties over alleged inactivity, saying they have not updated their profiles in the commission’s records.
Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu
In the petition filed Tuesday through its legal department, EC purports that the 10 political parties have not submitted to the commission a written declaration stating their source of funding and other assets, as required by law.
The 10 political parties, together with Government’s chief legal advisor the Attorney General (AG), are listed as respondents. The political parties are Action Party (registered December 15, 2004),Bridge Party (registered October 13, 2005), Progressive Alliance Party (registered April 13, 2005), Uganda Mandate Party (registered March 22, 2005), and New Order Democracy( registered October 15, 2005).
Others are People’s Independent Party (registered April 7, 2004), Movement for Democratic Change (registered July 28, 2004), National Redemption Party (registered December 14, 2005), Movement Volunteers Mobilisers Organisation (registered March 22, 2005), and Reform Party (registered March 22, 2005).
The petition is supported by the affidavit of EC principal election officer legal department Patrick Byakagaba, also in charge of the political parties’ desk. He states that the parties have adamantly refused to abide by the law, despite being frequently asked to do so.
“On August 14, 2008, the Electoral Commission invited political parties for a meeting in an attempt to forge a way forward. It even advertised in print media for meeting but respondents ignored with no explanation,” Byakagaba states.
He additionally notes that this year on April 9, EC took a decision to lodge an application in court, intended to de-register the listed political parties, and that they were notified.
Court documents show that in letters dated May 2, 2013 written by the EC secretary, Sam Rwakoojo, and addressed to the secretary generals of the listed parties, the electoral body’s resolution was outlined in a strongly-worded statement. He also castigated them for failing to hold delegates conferences to elect executive members.
Rwakoojo stated that Section nine of the Political Parties and Organisations Act, 2005, requires that every political party within 60 days after expiry of the first year, and after issuance of certificate of registration, to submit to EC its updated records.
Court registrar Tadeo Asiimwe has asked the blacklisted political parties to respond to EC’s claims within 14 days from the date of receipt of the summons. A hearing date is yet to be scheduled.
By Andante Okanya, The New Vision
