EU casts doubt on credibility of elections

PARLIAMENT. The delegation of the European Union (EU) to Uganda has cast doubt on the credibility of the 2016 general election.
Government, the group said during a closed–door meeting with the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, has ignored demands for meaningful reform of electoral laws.
Mr Emmanuel Gyezaho, the press and information officer of the delegation, confirmed the meeting took place on Friday at Parliament to discuss the Constitutional (Amendment) and the Non–Governmental Organisation Bills, 2015.
The group said the proposals on elections that the government tabled in Parliament in May “do not address substantive issues”.
Civil society, Opposition political parties, some religious leaders and opinion leaders have called for the independence of the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure a credible poll.
In response, the government drafted the omnibus Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2015, which proposes the establishment of a City Land Board, a Salary and Remunerations Board and the renaming of the EC to the Independent Electoral Commission.
“The Constitution (Amendment) Bill did not meet our expectations. The proposals presented are cosmetic and do not address substantial issues. Civil society, clergy and public made a number of very good suggestions, which were ignored…” Mr Kristian Schmidt, head of the delegation, said in a press statement circulated on Friday. “What we believe is the objective criteria in selection of Commissioners. They should be screened by the Judicial Service Commission or another independent body.”
Attorney General Fred Ruhindi yesterday declined to comment on the EU envoys’ stance. “I will have to first get the presentation, study it so that I respond,” Mr Ruhindi said.
However, the Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda coordinator, Mr Crispy Kaheru saluted the EU for taking a stand on the issue of electoral reforms.
The EU delegation that met Ms Kadaga included Ms Alison Blackburne, the British High Commissioner to Uganda, Mr Donal Crónin, (Ireland), Mr Domenico Fornara (Italy) and Mr Peter Blomeyer (Germany).
The diplomats had sought audience with Ms Kadaga to talk about electoral reforms and the NGO Bill.
The meeting comes on the heels of the State-of-the-Nation address last Thursday during which President Museveni ignored mention of anything to do with the demand for electoral reforms. “On politics, there is no problem because everything is provided for in the Constitution. So I am not going to talk politics,” President Museveni said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the National Coalition on Free and Fair elections comprising political, civic leaders and eminent citizens yesterday announced that it will on June 10 state their next move in face of government’s refusal to accept electoral reforms.
The leaders have been at a retreat since June 4 to chart what they termed as “a new political path for the country”.
“Ugandans are aware that the character of deceit and ignoring citizens is consistent with the character of the current regime. The government has dishonoured the citizens compact on free and fair elections and other proposed reforms advanced by other interest groups,” a statement signed by Mr Godber Tumushabe on behalf of the group says.

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