Civil society speaks out on new EC team

Nov 18, 2016

Kaheru explained that the reforms would strengthen the institutional framework of the EC to effectively deliver on its mandated without any form of pressures.

 Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama EC chairperson nominee.

For a new Electoral Commission (EC) team to fully exercise its constitutional mandate to the satisfaction of every Ugandan, there is need for comprehensive electoral reforms.

"For us to clean the stage for them, there is need for comprehensive electoral reforms that civil society, political parties and all other stakeholders have called for, for quite a while,"  Citizens' Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU), Coordinator Crispin Kaheru said in a statement.

President Yoweri Museveni has nominated six candidates to head the Electoral Commission (EC).

Court of Appeal Judge Simon Mugenyi Byabakama has been appointed Electoral Commission chairperson.

Others include: Hajjat Aisha Lubega (vice chairperson), Commissioners Peter Emorut, former Kajara MP Steven Tashobya, Prof George Piwang and Mustapha Ssebaggala Kigozi.

The nominees will appear before the Parliamentary appointments committee for vetting.

Kaheru explained that the reforms would strengthen the institutional framework of the EC to effectively deliver on its mandated without any form of pressures.

"I think what Ugandans will continue to ask themselves is how consultative and inclusive the process of appointing the EC was; given the sentiments around the inclusivity of the process that have been raised by different quotas," Kaheru said. 

He argued that various key interest stakeholders would have very much wanted to be part of the consultative processes, leading up to the identification of the new EC.

 

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