CEON-U blows whistle on election violence

by CEON-UG Team

“…. Leaders must rise to a nationwide standard of Zero Tolerance to Violence in Uganda”

The Citizens’ Election Observers Network – Uganda (CEON-Uganda) is a consortium of 18  civil society organizations committed to conducting a unified, comprehensive and effective domestic election observation mission for the 2016 general elections. The consortium’s intervention is guided by the overarching need to promote transparency, accountability and integrity, as well as increase citizen participation in Uganda’s electoral processes. This statement is based on reports from 182 Long term Observers (LTOs) deployed in182 Constituencies across the country, who witnessed voting in one thousand three hundred and twenty two (1322)  NRM polling stations (PS).

According to National Resistance Movement’s constitution the Vision of NRM  is

 “a peaceful, united and democratic Uganda” (Chap. 2 art 4). One of the Party’s national objectives is to “consolidate democracy and constitutional governance” (Chap 2. Art. 7b).

Furthermore the NRM’s Code of Conduct requires all of its members to be “truthful and trustworthy” (rule 2 d) and maintain “high moral standards” (rule 2 e). To that end NRM members are prohibited from engaging in “corrupt practices”(rule 4e), which according to the Code of Conduct can result in dismissal from the Party.

Despite this explicit legal framework to guide the conduct of elections in NRM. CEON-U observers reported the occurence of violence and intimidation in one hundred and sixty eight (186) polling stations across eighty nine (89)constituencies. Voter bribery and vote buying was used to influence voters from one hundred and fourteen (114) polling stations in fifty one (51) constituencies. NRM party members were turned away from one hundred and ninety three (193) polling stations in sixty six (66) constituencies, and hence denied the right to elect a candidate of their choice.

Violence, intimidation, voter bribery and vote buying have no place in a free and democratic society. The widespread use of these campaign tactics undermines the legitimacy of elections and voters’ freedom of expression, association and assembly. Observers commended police for containing potentially explossive situations in many places. 

Read more about this report Here and the recommendations Here.