EC warns anti referendum agitators
Jul 26, 2005
WITH effect from mid-night last night, the Electoral Commission (EC) banned rallies to canvass for support in tomorrow’s referendum on change of political systems,
WITH effect from mid-night last night, the Electoral Commission (EC) banned rallies to canvass for support in tomorrow’s referendum on change of political systems, reports Milton Olupot.
The EC also warned that people who are agitating for a boycott of the referendum risk arrest. He said it was illegal to mobilise people to boycott the referendum.
EC chairman Dr. Badru Kiggundu yesterday said the canvassing period expired at midnight last night. “We have informed all authorities including the Police to ensure this is not violated,†he said.
Kiggundu was briefing observers for the 2005 plebiscite at Hotel Africana, Kampala.
“You can boycott as an individual but please don’t coerce others to do it because the law is there and it will catch up with you.
Don’t make statements and unfounded allegations that you cannot substantiate,†he
warned. Opposition politicians from the six main political parties – FDC, UPC, DP, CP, Justice Forum and The Free Movement – have been calling upon supporters not to participate in the referendum.
Kiggundu listed some of the challenges facing the EC as late enactment of relevant laws, limited time for effective voter education, voter apathy and election violence.
He called upon the Police to be more vigilant during the voting and appealed to the electorate to turn up early and in big numbers.
A total of 121 international and 130 local observers will monitor the plebiscite. EC commissioner for the northern region Tom Buruku presented the guidelines to the observers. Each had an observation kit.
Buruku cautioned the observers to respect the laws of Uganda and remain non-partisan. He also cautioned them against disrupting or interfering with the voting process and to avoid giving instructions to polling officers.
The acting director of the Legal Advisory Services, B. Kainamura, who represented the Attorney General, said the referendum was a landmark in the political transition in Uganda. He said the exercise should not only be transparent but be seen to be transparent.
“The Government of Uganda encourages you the observers in your duty to be objective as you stamp your approval or disapproval of the exercise. We are confident that it will be a free and fair process,†he said.
EC Secretary Sam Rwakoojo said observers were expected to de-brief the EC on July 29 evening of their preliminary reports on the voting process.
Meanwhile, the EC yesterday directed that students aged 18 and above and are registered at their schools or at polling stations located near schools, should vote from there.
School authorities were requested to allow students who registered at home to go and vote but keep the unregistered ones in school.
The EC also warned that people who are agitating for a boycott of the referendum risk arrest. He said it was illegal to mobilise people to boycott the referendum.
EC chairman Dr. Badru Kiggundu yesterday said the canvassing period expired at midnight last night. “We have informed all authorities including the Police to ensure this is not violated,†he said.
Kiggundu was briefing observers for the 2005 plebiscite at Hotel Africana, Kampala.
“You can boycott as an individual but please don’t coerce others to do it because the law is there and it will catch up with you.
Don’t make statements and unfounded allegations that you cannot substantiate,†he
warned. Opposition politicians from the six main political parties – FDC, UPC, DP, CP, Justice Forum and The Free Movement – have been calling upon supporters not to participate in the referendum.
Kiggundu listed some of the challenges facing the EC as late enactment of relevant laws, limited time for effective voter education, voter apathy and election violence.
He called upon the Police to be more vigilant during the voting and appealed to the electorate to turn up early and in big numbers.
A total of 121 international and 130 local observers will monitor the plebiscite. EC commissioner for the northern region Tom Buruku presented the guidelines to the observers. Each had an observation kit.
Buruku cautioned the observers to respect the laws of Uganda and remain non-partisan. He also cautioned them against disrupting or interfering with the voting process and to avoid giving instructions to polling officers.
The acting director of the Legal Advisory Services, B. Kainamura, who represented the Attorney General, said the referendum was a landmark in the political transition in Uganda. He said the exercise should not only be transparent but be seen to be transparent.
“The Government of Uganda encourages you the observers in your duty to be objective as you stamp your approval or disapproval of the exercise. We are confident that it will be a free and fair process,†he said.
EC Secretary Sam Rwakoojo said observers were expected to de-brief the EC on July 29 evening of their preliminary reports on the voting process.
Meanwhile, the EC yesterday directed that students aged 18 and above and are registered at their schools or at polling stations located near schools, should vote from there.
School authorities were requested to allow students who registered at home to go and vote but keep the unregistered ones in school.