IPC must wait for its own “credible” EC, says govt
By Timothy Nsubuga – 19th-25th July 2010
EC boss Kiggundu
The ruling NRM government has vehemently defended what it called the “administrative” process that led to the reappointment in 2009 of the Electoral Commission [EC] Chairman Eng. Badru Kiggundu.
The legitimacy of the present Electoral Commission has caused considerable political controversy in the run up to next year’s general elections. Uganda’s main opposition parties under their Inter Party Cooperation [IPC] umbrella have consistently argued that the Kiggundu-led electoral body is totally incompetent and openly biased in favour of Museveni’s ruling NRM-O party. The international community, led by the US, has also called for the Kiggundu-led Electoral Commission to be disbanded and replaced with one that is acceptable to all stakeholders.
The government’s Spokesperson Mr. Ofwono Opondo however dismissed those concerns. He told Uganda Correspondent that the “legality and legitimacy” of the present Electoral Commission led by Eng. Badru Kiggundu “should not be in question”. He maintained that it was appointed following all constitutional means and the Electoral Commission Act. He also said President Yoweri Museveni solicited and sent the seven names drawn from across Uganda to the Appointments Committee of Parliament which he says, “…has the power to vet, reject, or approve such nominees”.
The government, in its defence, also said “…there is nowhere in the constitution of Uganda where it is stated that the President, in constituting the EC, should publicly or otherwise consult with opposition parties, FDC, Jeema, DP, CP or UPC”.
As far as the NRM government is concerned, Opondo charged, the opposition IPC alliance “…can wait for their turn and appoint a new credible and competent EC” since they claim that they will win the general elections scheduled for Febfruary 2011. In the NRM’s view, Opondo added, the opposition “…snored while the process of re-appointing the EC went on and should lie in [it] however thorny”.
The Supreme Court of Uganda has twice ruled [in 2001 and 2006] that the Kiggundu-led Electoral Commission failed to observe the Electoral Commissions Act when it organised and presided over the 2001 and 2006 general elections. That failure, the court ruled, “disenfranchised” many Ugandan voters.
Both rulings came after Museveni’s main political challenger and leader of the opposition FDC party Dr. Kizza Besigye challenged the validity of the 2001 as well as the 2006 general elections that saw President Museveni declared winner in both. Read the government’s full statement on the EC published under our “Opinions” section and titled “Opposition slept, now they must lie in a thorny bed”
