Electoral body hailed over online register
Aug 26, 2010
THE US has hailed the Electoral Commission for posting the national voters’ register on line, saying it would improve the effectiveness of the ongoing voters’ register display exercise.
By Joyce Namutebi
THE US has hailed the Electoral Commission for posting the national voters’ register on line, saying it would improve the effectiveness of the ongoing voters’ register display exercise.
“Posting the document on line will boost voter confidence in the electoral processes, reduce confusion over polling assignments and registration status on the election day, and reinforce the foundations necessary for a free and fair election,†said US ambassador Jerry Lanier.
Speaking at the launching of the online national voters’ register at Hotel Africana on Wednesday, the ambassador noted that for the first time in Uganda, voters can access the register on line, type in their voter registration number, and verify their registration status and polling station assignment.
He also noted that political parties and civil society organisations would be able to print their own up-to-date and accurate lists of registered voters.
Lanier noted that free, fair and peaceful elections were critical for the future of Uganda.
He commended the commission, particularly its chairman, Dr. Badru Kiggundu, for working closely with the US Agency for International Development and the International Foundation for Election Systems to make the idea of having an online voter’s register a reality in a few months.
The activity was part of the US ongoing support for democracy and good governance in Uganda, a press statement said.
Deputy Attorney General Fred Ruhindi, who launched the online register, said voter registration was vital for transparent and fair elections.
Kiggundu said despite the posting of the voters’ register on line, voters must physically check their status at the polling stations to ensure that they are not wrongly recommended for deletion.
“If all Ugandan voters participate in ensuring a credible voters’ register, it will be the cornerstone to the integrity of upcoming elections in Uganda,†he said.
He announced that soon, the EC would introduce the SMS/Text Message System that will allow voters to know their registration station through their mobile phones.
On registering Ugandans in the diaspora, Kiggundu explained that there was no legal provision for the exercise.
On the possibility of voting on line, he said: “We are not yet there. Do not ask me to run when I have not learnt to walk.â€
THE US has hailed the Electoral Commission for posting the national voters’ register on line, saying it would improve the effectiveness of the ongoing voters’ register display exercise.
“Posting the document on line will boost voter confidence in the electoral processes, reduce confusion over polling assignments and registration status on the election day, and reinforce the foundations necessary for a free and fair election,†said US ambassador Jerry Lanier.
Speaking at the launching of the online national voters’ register at Hotel Africana on Wednesday, the ambassador noted that for the first time in Uganda, voters can access the register on line, type in their voter registration number, and verify their registration status and polling station assignment.
He also noted that political parties and civil society organisations would be able to print their own up-to-date and accurate lists of registered voters.
Lanier noted that free, fair and peaceful elections were critical for the future of Uganda.
He commended the commission, particularly its chairman, Dr. Badru Kiggundu, for working closely with the US Agency for International Development and the International Foundation for Election Systems to make the idea of having an online voter’s register a reality in a few months.
The activity was part of the US ongoing support for democracy and good governance in Uganda, a press statement said.
Deputy Attorney General Fred Ruhindi, who launched the online register, said voter registration was vital for transparent and fair elections.
Kiggundu said despite the posting of the voters’ register on line, voters must physically check their status at the polling stations to ensure that they are not wrongly recommended for deletion.
“If all Ugandan voters participate in ensuring a credible voters’ register, it will be the cornerstone to the integrity of upcoming elections in Uganda,†he said.
He announced that soon, the EC would introduce the SMS/Text Message System that will allow voters to know their registration station through their mobile phones.
On registering Ugandans in the diaspora, Kiggundu explained that there was no legal provision for the exercise.
On the possibility of voting on line, he said: “We are not yet there. Do not ask me to run when I have not learnt to walk.â€