2011 elections will be free and fair, says government

The government has assured the country of peaceful elections come February 2011, contrary to what the National Resistance Movement elections have been.

The NRM elections, which is still going on, have been marred by violence, rigging and numerous arrests, prompting the government spokesman.

“The systems in place will help us have free, fair, violence-free polls come 2011,” the Information and National Guidance Minister, Ms Kabakumba Masiko said yesterday. “Anyone caught causing chaos will be dealt with as the laws of the country stipulates,” she said.

Ms Masiko mentioned a well trained police force, electoral commission, a clear polls roadmap and a relatively good budget approved by Parliament for the EC as some of foundations for having free and fair elections in 2011.

She said the EC and stakeholders are educating people about electoral process, adding that there is a clear legal framework to handle any emerging challenges during the elections.
Ms Masiko told journalist in Kampala yesterday that the mess in the NRM polls was due to financial constraints and lack of a full time, well trained electoral commission.

NRM elections have taken place in 60,000 polling stations compared to about 25,000 polling stations for the national general polls.
“It should be noted that NRM is a mass party with millions of supporters countrywide. Therefore holding elections of such a party is as good as holding a national general election,” Ms Masiko said.

She said the party will take all the necessary administrative and legal actions against the perpetrators of violence in the polls.
NRM polls, supposed to have been concluded on Monday 30, have been marred with massive rigging and violence to the extent that some were cancelled and others have raised many petitions. Some candidates who have lost have also threatened to return in 2011 on the independent ticket.

“It is true that some people were caught with ballot papers especially in Kampala, which led to the postponement of the elections, but they were arrested and handed to police and the due process of the law will take its course.”

She said cases of violence were reported in Budama County, Kibuku, Sironko district, Bukedea and Tororo districts.
Ms Masiko, who has won the flag bearer seat of Bujeje County in Masindi District, said losers should accept defeat “because there is life after the polls.”