Opposition has a point
Dec 23, 2009
Editor—I would like to add my voice to the debate about the composition and integrity of the current Electoral Commission (EC). <br>
Editor—I would like to add my voice to the debate about the composition and integrity of the current Electoral Commission (EC).
As an observer in the civil society and as a citizen, I find most of the allegations against the EC by the opposition legitimate. First, the Supreme Court ruling in 2006 pointed out that the elections were tainted with “fraud, intimidation, bribery and incompetence of the Electoral Commission which failed to know the actual number of voters they had on the register, failure to conduct voter and civic education and inability to handle complaints relating to elections in an impartial wayâ€.
In subsequent court rulings at parliamentary and LC levels, NRM candidates and the EC have been found guilty of electoral offences. A good example is the case of Kafura Kabatsi in Sembabule against Hanifa Kawooya. where it was found by court that the EC left Sam Kutesa to take over the role of the EC as far as allowing him to appoint presiding officers!
The EC should have credible officials since the pain of unfairly losing an election can lead to bloodshed. It is also true that the members of the EC are appointed by the incumbent who also doubles as a perpetual candidate of the ruling party, the NRM.
Is it also a qualification that former NRM mps should form the bulk of the EC? Sam Rwakoojo was MP for Lwemiyaga in Sembabule and later dumped at the EC after losing to Sekikubo. Stephen Ongaria was MP for Tororo Municipality and had lost his seat before joining the EC. Thomas Kiryapawo was MP Palisa. He too had lost before joining the EC. I could go on!
Gerald Werikhe Wanzala
Team leader
Parliamentary Scorecard
As an observer in the civil society and as a citizen, I find most of the allegations against the EC by the opposition legitimate. First, the Supreme Court ruling in 2006 pointed out that the elections were tainted with “fraud, intimidation, bribery and incompetence of the Electoral Commission which failed to know the actual number of voters they had on the register, failure to conduct voter and civic education and inability to handle complaints relating to elections in an impartial wayâ€.
In subsequent court rulings at parliamentary and LC levels, NRM candidates and the EC have been found guilty of electoral offences. A good example is the case of Kafura Kabatsi in Sembabule against Hanifa Kawooya. where it was found by court that the EC left Sam Kutesa to take over the role of the EC as far as allowing him to appoint presiding officers!
The EC should have credible officials since the pain of unfairly losing an election can lead to bloodshed. It is also true that the members of the EC are appointed by the incumbent who also doubles as a perpetual candidate of the ruling party, the NRM.
Is it also a qualification that former NRM mps should form the bulk of the EC? Sam Rwakoojo was MP for Lwemiyaga in Sembabule and later dumped at the EC after losing to Sekikubo. Stephen Ongaria was MP for Tororo Municipality and had lost his seat before joining the EC. Thomas Kiryapawo was MP Palisa. He too had lost before joining the EC. I could go on!
Gerald Werikhe Wanzala
Team leader
Parliamentary Scorecard