As the country moves closer to 2021 general elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) has lifted the suspension of Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) and now the civil society organisation (CSO) can participate in electoral activities across the country via its sensitisation campaign.
The decision was arrived at following a series of meetings held between the two sides, according Thursday’s press release from the electoral body.
CCEDU was suspended from participating in electoral related activities in Uganda in July 2018, following allegations that the CSO was operating outside the guidelines of EC which manages elections in Uganda.
According to EC’s Chairman, Justice Simon Byabakama, the lifting of CEDDU’s suspension took effect on February 21, 2018.
Justice Byabakama said the new development is a result of a joint committee composed of members from the two sides who authored a report of recommendations that both sides will adhere to in their work.
“The report includes mutually binding recommendations, which both the Commission and CCEDU have committed to,” said Byabakama.
CCEDU is a broad coalition that brings together over 800 like-minded civil society organizations and over eight thousand individuals to advocate for electoral democracy in Uganda.
The overriding agenda of this coalition is to advocate and promote integrity, transparency and active
citizen participation in Uganda’s electoral process.