⁷Daniel Bwala: No Citizen Should Be Denied the Right to Contest Public Office Until Proven Guilty

Democratic Principles and the Presumption of Innocence

In an exclusive interview, Daniel Bwala emphasized the importance of upholding democratic values and the rule of law in determining eligibility for public office.

According to him, in any credible democracy, no individual should be disqualified, restricted, or prevented from contesting for public office solely because they are facing trial in court. He noted that the legal system operates on the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence, which guarantees that every citizen is considered innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.

Bwala argued that until a final judicial determination establishes guilt, any individual standing trial retains the same constitutional rights as every other citizen, including the right to seek elective office. He stressed that democratic societies must remain committed to due process, fairness, and equal treatment under the law, ensuring that political participation is not undermined by unproven allegations.

He further maintained that the integrity of democracy is strengthened when legal procedures are respected and citizens are allowed to exercise their constitutional rights without prejudice or premature judgment.