Public confidence in EC crucial for democracy

The Electoral Commission (EC), supported by USAID, has developed an online voters’ register. This innovation is commendable. It is envisaged that besides making the voters’ register more transparent and accessible, it shall boost voter confidence in Uganda’s electoral processes, and reinforce the foundations necessary for free and fair elections, among others. I was impressed, when in the comfort of my office, I confirmed that my name exists on the register.
However, can this initiative bolster voter confidence in the Badru Kiggundgu-led EC and the electoral process?

Putting the voters’ register online alone will not bring reform in the way the EC functions, neither is it of use to those who cannot afford a computer nor have anything to do with technology. The online world is largely obscure for most Ugandans and underutilised even by those who have access. Thus, it may not significantly improve public confidence in the electoral process.

The voter verification exercise, which this programme addresses, is a small though important part of a free and fair election. It is said, a badly managed organisation with computers will stay badly managed. Jim Collins in his book Good to Great- why some companies make the Leap… and others don’t, concluded that the difference in performance between those who make the leap and those who do not, had a lot to do with the quality of the CEO. Perhaps that is why some citizens relentlessly but unsuccessfully attempted to have Kiggundu and team sent home.

A free and fair election is mainly subject to public perception, which currently is that the EC is not capable of delivering on its mandate. The elections are presumed to be a formality. It may be that the entire system of governance undermines the effectiveness of the EC (not Kiggundu’s fault), offers protection of the current majority and denies the opposition any real chance of winning. Unfortunately, the EC and its leadership take responsibility for the outcome of elections.

Public confidence in the electoral body is a key tenet for democratic governance. During Kenya’s 2007 election violence, Kenyans were not taking the perceived incompetence of their Electoral Commission lying down. They were holding their EC chairman personally responsible for the mess.

I believe critical to the escalation of violence was not so much the undercurrents of economic and social factors like poverty, unemployment, ethnicity and desire for change which had influenced the elections but rather the loss of public confidence in the EC to announce results that would reflect the true will of the people. It will take much more than online registration to bolster public confidence in Uganda’s electoral process. Kiggundu needs to demonstrate that his leadership of the electoral body exudes confidence and integrity despite serious limitations.

Fundamentally, will the EC do what it takes to enable Ugandans enjoy their fundamental human rights and freedoms? Can the EC conduct elections whose results are respected by all citizens and institutions of democracy? It is a huge responsibility, but the conduct of the EC during the electoral process will determine the strength of democracy and security of Ugandans beyond the elections.

The government has promised free and fair elections, but only the EC can make that a reality, of course with cooperation from all.

Ms Maractho is a development economist
emaractho@ucu.ac.ug