How will February 18 begin and end?

Feb 16, 2016

Without candidates there would be no voting. Or if there was one candidate the element of voting, which is essential in democracy, would be lost

It is just one day to polling day. After listening to the eight presidential candidates for three months, Ugandans will on February 18 decide who is to be president for the next five years.

When the polls close at 4.00pm on Thursday the Electoral Commission (EC) will be later release presidential election results from the national tally centre at the Mandela Stadium, Namboole and the country will have a view of who is likely to win until the final declaration.

In accordance with the law, the election body must declare the winner within 48 hours after the closing of polling, which means, Ugandans will, by 4.00pm on Saturday, February 20 know who the winner and losers are.

But it serves to hasten to add that there are no losers in the true sense of the word because by participating in the election all the candidates - winner and losers — have assisted the process of picking a president.

Without candidates there would be no voting. Or if there was one candidate the element of voting, which is essential in democracy, would be lost. In a country like Uganda with its conspiracy theorists, if there were no candidates vying for president it would be construed as bribery or fear.

In this case the incumbent would be accused of buying off would-be challengers or intimidating them not to contest. Therefore, the participation of eight candidates in the presidential race presents the voters with choices to elect a president basing on a range of factors.

Anywhere in the world, especially emerging democracies, voters' choices are mostly influenced by candidates' work record, achievements, manifestos and promises they make.

All the presidential candidates have addressed voters throughout the country. Some are boasting of attracting mammoth crowds at their rallies. Some have addressed five big rallies in a day while others have addressed one big rally a day. Some have attracted only a handful of voters but remain hopeful.

Some have had long breaks to take a rest from the grueling campaign trails while others have taken a day or two.

But addressing rallies with good, flowery speeches and hefty promises is one thing and getting the people to vote for you is another. It also follows that possibly the huge crowds at one's rally do not necessarily translate into votes.

Promises also do not guarantee victory because voters can detect genuine and outlandish ones and base on that to make a decision who to vote. Certainly a politician who promises a bridge where there is no river will not easily dupe people in voting him or her.

Whereas one who pledges to create an environment to attract investors, who will in turn create jobs is not only convincing but also realistic. According to Ben Brewster, a writer on democracy, "Voting isn't just important to democracy.

Voting is democracy." He goes on to explain: "You can't have a successfully run democratic system without the support and votes of the citizens." So the candidates and the voters are equally important but the latter are key because it is they who decide.

That is why Uganda's eight presidential candidates have all been on the campaign trail canvassing support. All have shown that they are not taking any chances and have been working extra hard to get voted.

Even those who have clearly been seen as falling off the campaign trail, are pushing on determined and hoping to make last-minute gains.

By voting day, all the eight candidates, since November, will have articulated promises in their manifestos, which have grand plans for the country and so it is up to the voters to decide who among them is the best and deserves to occupy the big office.

Candidates Yoweri Museveni, Dr. Kizza Besigye, Amama Mbabazi, Dr. Abedi Bwanika, Maj. Gen Benon Biraro, Prof. Venansius Baryamureba, Maureen Kyalya and Joseph Mabirizi have made their contribution to democracy by presenting themselves to the voters.

Consequently, they have constituted a pool of contenders for the voters to choose from, which is essential for democracy. All have had the opportunity of presenting their manifestos to the voters and also made promises.

They have addressed rallies, appointed campaign agents and those to observe the voting process to ensure it is free and fair. In turn, the voters will on Thursday next week, play their role by waking up and going to vote.

Thereafter, the EC will announce the winner as mandated by law. Among its duties, the body organises, conducts and supervises elections and also ensures regular, free and fair elections.

Often, like it is bound to happen, there are those who will not accept the results. Legal recourse is available for them to challenge the election results.

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