Kiggundu responds to opposition
The Electoral Commission chairman, Badru Kiggundu, has rejected criticism by the opposition, asserting that his integrity is unquestionable and that he is competent to handle the 2011 polls.
By M. Karugaba & Jeff Lule
The Electoral Commission chairman, Badru Kiggundu, has rejected criticism by the opposition, asserting that his integrity is unquestionable and that he is competent to handle the 2011 polls.
“My integrity is unquestionable. I have never failed to deliver. I am determined, and my zeal to handle to the 2011 is unbreakable,†said Kiggundu on Friday.
He noted that he was reappointed by the President and confirmed by Parliament. He also said he was determined to carry out free and fair elections.
Kiggundu was speaking at a workshop, organised by the Ugandan Parliament and the Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa, on how to enhance the media’s role and skills in electoral monitoring and reporting.
During the workshop, opposition MPs and politicians criticised the re-appointment of Kiggundu and questioned his competence to handle the 2011 general elections.
Kiggundu said the commission’s main challenge was the late enactment of the laws, which had affected the interpretation of the law and the formulation of voters’ education messages.
“Without an enabling law in place, the Electoral Commission cannot access funds nor design and disseminate certain specific messages, let alone plan effectively for the elections process,†he said.
Inadequate and late release of funds and voter education were other challenges the commission faced, he said.
He called on Ugandans to work together and ensure that the 2011 elections were free and fair.
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Ogenga Latigo, warned that the electoral reforms would be presented as a private member’s bill if the Government did not table them.
Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago asked whether the commission would announce the 2011 election results in case the opposition won the presidency.
In response, Kiggundu said: “I will follow the law but let’s wait and see what the results will show.â€
Former ethics and integrity minister Miria Matembe also criticised the Government for re-appointing Kiggundu. She said the views of the minority should be listened to.
Meanwhile, the DP has set up a committee to examine the possibility of challenging the re-appointment of the members of the Electoral Commission in the Constitutional Court.
“We decided to put up a special committee of lawyers to study all relevant laws in seven days to come up with a document to help seek a legal interpretation with the Constitution Court,†said the party spokesperson Fred Mwesigwa.
The team, which is headed by the party’s legal advisor, Elias Lukwago, includes Busiro South MP Joseph Balikudembe, Bob Kitariko, J. B. Kasozi and Kawempe South MP Ssebuliba Mutumba.
The Electoral Commission chairman, Badru Kiggundu, has rejected criticism by the opposition, asserting that his integrity is unquestionable and that he is competent to handle the 2011 polls.
“My integrity is unquestionable. I have never failed to deliver. I am determined, and my zeal to handle to the 2011 is unbreakable,†said Kiggundu on Friday.
He noted that he was reappointed by the President and confirmed by Parliament. He also said he was determined to carry out free and fair elections.
Kiggundu was speaking at a workshop, organised by the Ugandan Parliament and the Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa, on how to enhance the media’s role and skills in electoral monitoring and reporting.
During the workshop, opposition MPs and politicians criticised the re-appointment of Kiggundu and questioned his competence to handle the 2011 general elections.
Kiggundu said the commission’s main challenge was the late enactment of the laws, which had affected the interpretation of the law and the formulation of voters’ education messages.
“Without an enabling law in place, the Electoral Commission cannot access funds nor design and disseminate certain specific messages, let alone plan effectively for the elections process,†he said.
Inadequate and late release of funds and voter education were other challenges the commission faced, he said.
He called on Ugandans to work together and ensure that the 2011 elections were free and fair.
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Ogenga Latigo, warned that the electoral reforms would be presented as a private member’s bill if the Government did not table them.
Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago asked whether the commission would announce the 2011 election results in case the opposition won the presidency.
In response, Kiggundu said: “I will follow the law but let’s wait and see what the results will show.â€
Former ethics and integrity minister Miria Matembe also criticised the Government for re-appointing Kiggundu. She said the views of the minority should be listened to.
Meanwhile, the DP has set up a committee to examine the possibility of challenging the re-appointment of the members of the Electoral Commission in the Constitutional Court.
“We decided to put up a special committee of lawyers to study all relevant laws in seven days to come up with a document to help seek a legal interpretation with the Constitution Court,†said the party spokesperson Fred Mwesigwa.
The team, which is headed by the party’s legal advisor, Elias Lukwago, includes Busiro South MP Joseph Balikudembe, Bob Kitariko, J. B. Kasozi and Kawempe South MP Ssebuliba Mutumba.