The Electoral Commission (EC) has issued a strong clarification following public debate surrounding the disqualification of several parliamentary candidates in the ongoing 2026 election cycle. While observers and analysts have raised concerns about irregularities, the Commission maintains that every decision taken is grounded in law, guided by evidence, and subjected to an open and verifiable process.
Recent cases including the disqualification of Nebbi District Woman MP aspirant, Mercy Rebecca Abidjan, and Isingiro North parliamentary contender, James Atwine, have generated public discussion. In both instances, the EC insists that proper procedure was followed, and that the Commission acted only after receiving formal complaints from registered voters and verifying the submitted evidence.
In response to suggestions that the EC is sidelining certain candidates, the Commission emphasised that no candidate would ever be allowed to reach the nomination stage if the intention was to remove them later on political grounds. “The nomination exercise is one of the most labour-intensive, highly regulated, and openly monitored stages in the electoral roadmap. If the Commission had any intention to block contestants, we would not have cleared them in the first place,” Julius Mucunguzi the EC Head of Public Relations noted.
The Commission further reminded the public that nomination papers are public documents, accessible to any registered voter. This transparency, the EC argues is proof that the process is not conducted in secrecy or with hidden motives.
What Led to the Disqualifications?
Forged Signatures and Particulars
In the case of Mercy Rebecca Abedichan, the EC acted on formal complaints by registered voters; Godfrey Onjera and Jimmy Badich, who claimed that their particulars were forged on her nomination forms. According to the commission, such complaints must be investigated under the law, and if verified, constitute grounds for disqualification. EC notes that individuals whose names appear without consent have a right to request removal, and similar cases have been reported in other districts.
For James Atwine, EC cited failure to meet the minimum academic requirements. Atwine denies the claim, but the commission maintains that any discrepancies in academic submissions must be rectified before nomination is confirmed. Where evidence is insufficient, the law mandates disqualification.
Governance analysts have warned that some actors may exploit loopholes to tilt political races including claims that supporters may be bribed to later withdraw signatures. Some independent candidates in Mubende District reported intimidation and alleged that attempts were made to manipulate their signatures through bribery.
Still, EC insists that all these concerns underscore the need for vigilance and public participation, not accusations of bias. EC Reaffirms: “Our process is open, and every candidate has a right to challenge decisions in court.” The Commission reminded the public that all disqualification decisions can be reviewed by the courts, which act as an independent safeguard.
So far, more than 13 parliamentary candidates have been declared unopposed, including the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament. EC maintains that such outcomes are not engineered, but arise when all legal requirements are met and no valid alternative nominations stand.
The commission reiterates that the integrity of elections begins at nomination, and both voters and candidates must participate honestly. Forged signatures, inaccurate academic documents, and fraudulent declarations undermine not only candidates, but the electorate’s right to make an informed choice.
EC therefore encourages:
- Voters to verify signatures before supporting candidates.
- Aspirants to ensure full compliance with nomination requirements.
- The public to rely on verified information rather than speculation.
In defending its position, EC affirms that its mandate is not to determine who wins or loses a race, but to ensure that only eligible, lawful, duly verified candidates appear on the ballot; a commitment it says remains unchanged.