5^th–11^th July 2010

By Our Political Editor

Uganda’s Electoral Commission under the leadership of Eng. Badru Kiggundu has come under fire over the last few months for what Uganda’s main opposition parties feel is its incompetence and impartiality. Those on the extreme right of this argument say that the Kiggundu-led Electoral Commission is openly pro-NRM and is likely to bend to the NRM’s partisan demands for an electoral win in the forthcoming elections in 2011.  The ruling NRM government on the other hand, has insisted that the present Electoral Commission is competent, legitimate and that it will not be disbanded or even reformed before the 2011 elections.

What we think both parties agree on is that the independence, competence, and impartiality of any Electoral Commission cannot be over emphasised.  It sits at the very heart of any credible democratic process.  But we feel that the debate over Uganda’s present Electoral Commission has thus far been overshadowed by emotional outbursts from the main stakeholders; namely, the opposition and ruling NRM government.

Margaret Wokuri, from an organisation calling itself the National Alliance for a Free and Fair Election [NAFFE], re-ignited that debate in an opinion article that we have posted in the “Political Platform” section of our site under the title Political Editor’s Choice:  “Ugandans want free poll”

We strongly urge you our esteemed readers to visit that section and make your views known using the “Comments Facility” at the bottom of the article.  We would appreciate it if your contributions are kept decent, civilised, non-abusive, and above all, evidence based.  There is every chance that the key stakeholders in our politics will take note of your views.  So stand up and be counted to have either supported or opposed the Electoral Commission in its present form.  See you there!