Govt Urged to Clarify Early Campaign Activities.

Govt Urged to Clarify Early Campaign Activities.

Veteran politician Francis Babu has called on the government and the Electoral Commission (EC) to clarify whether national campaigns have officially commenced ahead of the 2026 general elections. This appeal for transparency follows a series of mass rallies held by various political parties under the pretext of consultations.
“We want to know, have the campaigns begun? EC and government should come out and tell us,” stated Babu.
According to the EC’s guidelines, candidates are permitted to conduct national consultations two years prior to the elections. However, the recent surge in political gatherings has led to suspicions of premature electioneering. Babu believes that the road maps and talks of consultations are a facade, with political parties using these as a cover to begin their campaigns.
Political analyst Gerald Walulya provides insight into the situation, suggesting that certain political parties might be exploiting these consultations to communicate their manifestos to voters. “Some parties, restricted in their ability to move freely across the country, seize any chance to engage with the electorate,” he explained.
Parties such as the Democratic Party (DP), the National Unity Platform (NUP), and the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) are actively touring the country to register new members and bolster their support bases. Despite these efforts, questions have arisen regarding why these activities are not conducted through regional offices, which could arguably be more efficient and less contentious.
Electoral Commission chairperson Simon Byabakama stated that political parties have the liberty to mobilize their supporters ahead of the election, and the manner of mobilization is at their discretion. “It is in their right to mobilize and get in touch with their grassroots base to ensure they are ready for the forthcoming elections,” said Byabakama. However, he emphasized that this must be done in accordance with the law.
As political parties continue their activities, the need for clear guidance and enforcement of electoral rules becomes increasingly important to ensure a fair and orderly lead-up to the 2026 elections.