Referendum questions set
Jun 06, 2005
GROUPS that are to canvass for support in the referendum have proposed four draft questions from which the Electoral Commission (EC) is to frame the final question this week.
By Hamis Kaheru
GROUPS that are to canvass for support in the referendum have proposed four draft questions from which the Electoral Commission (EC) is to frame the final question this week.
Sources said the Movement committee chaired by Amanda Magambo submitted one question while the anti-Movement side, headed by Robert Kitariko, proposed three questions.
The Movement question reads, “Should Ugandans today change from Movement political system to multiparty political system?â€
The multiparty side’s questions are, “Should we change to multiparty political system, or retain Movement political system?†“Do you support a change from Movement to multiparty political system?†and “Do you agree to change the political system so as to let the people choose political parties of their choice to compete for power?â€
EC regulations say the question should not be leading or open-ended and should be legally acceptable. This means that the question should lead to a “Yes†or “No†without unduly influencing the voter.
EC chairman Dr Badru Kiggundu said the questions would not be binding.
Section 3 of the Referendum Act says, “The commission shall, in consultation with the sides in the referendum, frame the question to be used in the referendum.â€
The 2000 question was framed by judges Alfred Karokora, James Ogoola and Christine Kitumba. It was, “Which political system do you wish to adopt, Movement or multiparty?†The then multiparty referendum committee chaired by Nelson Ocheger rejected the question on grounds that it was biased in favour of the Movement but the Government stuck to it.
Suggestions that judges should again frame the 2005 question were rejected because they are expected to resolve any conflicts arising from the results.
EC is expected to confirm symbols to be used by the two sides during campaigns. In 2000, the Movement side used a yellow bus while multipartyists had a dove.
Kiggundu said sides should choose unique symbols but the Movement side has insisted on the bus, which belongs to the NRM party.
The chairperson of the Movement side, Amanda Magambo, said they would stick to the bus because the NRM was not contesting in the referendum.
Kiggundu said EC would also consult on whether the question should be in English only or also in other local languages. It is unclear what will happen if Ugandans vote to retain the Movement system. The Government says it will convince the people to choose multiparty system.
GROUPS that are to canvass for support in the referendum have proposed four draft questions from which the Electoral Commission (EC) is to frame the final question this week.
Sources said the Movement committee chaired by Amanda Magambo submitted one question while the anti-Movement side, headed by Robert Kitariko, proposed three questions.
The Movement question reads, “Should Ugandans today change from Movement political system to multiparty political system?â€
The multiparty side’s questions are, “Should we change to multiparty political system, or retain Movement political system?†“Do you support a change from Movement to multiparty political system?†and “Do you agree to change the political system so as to let the people choose political parties of their choice to compete for power?â€
EC regulations say the question should not be leading or open-ended and should be legally acceptable. This means that the question should lead to a “Yes†or “No†without unduly influencing the voter.
EC chairman Dr Badru Kiggundu said the questions would not be binding.
Section 3 of the Referendum Act says, “The commission shall, in consultation with the sides in the referendum, frame the question to be used in the referendum.â€
The 2000 question was framed by judges Alfred Karokora, James Ogoola and Christine Kitumba. It was, “Which political system do you wish to adopt, Movement or multiparty?†The then multiparty referendum committee chaired by Nelson Ocheger rejected the question on grounds that it was biased in favour of the Movement but the Government stuck to it.
Suggestions that judges should again frame the 2005 question were rejected because they are expected to resolve any conflicts arising from the results.
EC is expected to confirm symbols to be used by the two sides during campaigns. In 2000, the Movement side used a yellow bus while multipartyists had a dove.
Kiggundu said sides should choose unique symbols but the Movement side has insisted on the bus, which belongs to the NRM party.
The chairperson of the Movement side, Amanda Magambo, said they would stick to the bus because the NRM was not contesting in the referendum.
Kiggundu said EC would also consult on whether the question should be in English only or also in other local languages. It is unclear what will happen if Ugandans vote to retain the Movement system. The Government says it will convince the people to choose multiparty system.