The Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee has postponed the review of the 2024/2025 national budget for the Electoral Commission (EC), due to the absence of the Commission.

The EC spokesperson Paul Bukenya, confirmed that the commissioner’s tenure of office ended on January 7, 2024. As a result, the Parliamentary Committee postponed the process to review the EC’s budget projection on Wednesday, January 10th.

“The management and staff of the Electoral Commission congratulate the Members of the Commission on the successful completion of their term of office for the period January 7, 2017 to January 7, 2024,” Bukenya said.

The commissioners whose terms of office have expired include Chairperson Simon Byabakama, his deputy Hajat Aisha Lubega, Peter Emorut, Stephen Tashobya, Nathaline Etomaru, and Hajj Mustapha Ssebagala. Justine Ahabwe, the seventh member, left office last month when her second term expired.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to make new appointments in accordance with Article 60 of the Constitution, which grants commissioners a seven-year term that can be renewed once. Clause 4 of the Article specifically requires the president, as the appointing authority, to renew the mandate of an incumbent EC commissioner three months before the end of their current term.

Legally, Justice Byabakama and his colleagues are no longer eligible for reappointment.

Members of the Commission serve for seven years and can be reappointed for one additional term. The appointment of a member of the Commission must be renewed at least three months before the end of the first term.

The Constitution requires commissioners to organise, conduct, and supervise elections and referendums. In addition, the Commission is in the process of implementing its electoral roadmap for the 2026 general election.