Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi has called for urgent reforms within the Electoral Commission (EC), citing logistical and operational challenges that threaten the fairness of the January 2026 general elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Mbale, he expressed concern over the limited campaign period and poor coordination by the EC, saying the commission must deploy staff to closely assess the difficulties candidates are facing on the campaign trail.
“With only 82 days to campaign across 144 districts, the Electoral Commission must ensure a level playing field,” Mafabi said.
The FDC flag bearer detailed a series of setbacks encountered during his nationwide campaign, including impassable roads, security interference, and delays in accessing some districts.
He argued that such conditions undermine equal participation and may prevent candidates from reaching all voters before polling day.
Mafabi warned that unless the EC adjusts the campaign program to accommodate these realities, he will not hesitate to extend his campaign beyond the official schedule.
The Electoral Commission recently convened a meeting with representatives of all presidential candidates to review campaign challenges and seek practical solutions.
The Commission has maintained campaign hours from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., a decision Mafabi says may disadvantage candidates operating in distant or hard-to-reach areas.
Despite the hurdles, the FDC leader struck an optimistic tone, expressing confidence in his campaign strategy and commitment to engaging voters up to January 13, 2026, the final day of the campaign period.
“We entered this race prepared, and we’ll push on until the very end,” he said.
