The opposition together with members of the civil society has launched a campaign detailing amendments they want implemented in the electoral system for free and fair 2016 presidential elections.
FDC president Maj. Gen Mugisha Muntu
Among others, the consortium want the current electoral commission overhauled and a new, independent and impartial electoral commission set up.
They argue the current electoral commission is a part of the electoral rigging machine for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) regime.
They also demand the creation of a new, clean, and verifiable register of voters, saying “this is an absolute necessity if we are to ensure free and fair elections.”
During the launch of the campaign at the St. Francis Students’ Centre inside Makerere University on Monday, the opposition stressed that the current register composed by the electoral commission is flawed.
The launch was attended by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party President, Gen. Mugisha Muntu, Uganda People’s Congress’ Olala Otunu, the Democratic Party’s Norbert Mao, among others.
The opposition also demanded no involvement of security forces, including militia groups, in the electoral processes. “The role of the police should be strictly to act impartially to ensure public order,” they said.
FDC’s Muntu intimated they (the consortium) were not going to just talk and go. “We are going to radio stations. We are going to hold rallies. We want new reforms for 2016 elections,” he said.
“Of course we know it is not going to be easy. Because we have demanded for the reforms, we do not expect Museveni to overhaul the electoral process. But we are ready.”
By John Agaba, The New Vision
