Local Monitors Endorse March 12 Election

THE national coordinator of the NGO Election Monitoring Group-Uganda (NEMGROUP-U), has endorsed the results of the presidential elections, reports John Odyek. The Rev. Can. Grace Kaiso told journalists at Hotel Equatoria yesterday that "on the whole, the results of the elections reflect the will of the people." But Kaiso said the electoral process and management had many weaknesses. He said about 15% and less of the total votes cast in a sample done in 30 districts could have been affected by election malpractice which did not impact on the final results. He said the campaign period was not free and fair and featured cases of violence and intimidation. Kaiso said the Electoral Commission was inefficient and President-elect Yoweri Museveni had an advantage in the use of State resources to campaign. He said they deployed poll watchers at 90% of the polling stations but said the deployment of soldiers before voting could have created tension. Ends