FDC calls for transparency in Kamuli by-election

As the Kamuli district by-election draws closer, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has called for transparency from the Electoral Commission (EC) headed by Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama. 

The Kamuli by-election is slated for 12^th April as per the EC's road map. The party's candidate for the position is Salaam Musumba. 

The seat fell vacant when the Court of Appeal nullified the election of NRM's Rehema Watongola over lack of requisite academic papers. 

The party accused the EC formerly headed by Eng. Badru Kiggundu of bolstering malpractices included late delivery of electoral materials, denial of accountability of ballot paper forms, refusal to disclose presiding officers and their signatures, denial of access to tally centres among other allegations. 

"Forum for Democratic Change takes cognizance of the fact that there is a new Electoral Commission which ought to avoid some malpractices perpetuated by the old commission," said Paul Mwiru, the party's deputy spokesperson. 

Mwiru said that such malpractices undermine democracy and rule of law hence thwarting any possibilities of a free and fair election. 

"FDC calls upon the new Electoral Commission to desist from such malpractices to guarantee free and fair by-elections more particularly for Kamuli and Kagoma which are on course," said Mwiru. 

The party also asked Police to stay clear of the electoral process and leave the commission to carry out its role in conducting the elections. 

"We think that Justice Byabakama and his team are better placed to understand that the mandate to conduct this electoral process is with them and not the Police.

They can only call in the Police to reinforce them where there is a problem, but it shouldn't be the way it was under Kiggundu's leadership," Mwiru added.