21 December 2008
Kampala — THE Electoral Commission (EC) is not partisan and will never rig elections for the ruling National Resistance Movement.
EC chairman Dr. Badru Kiggundu said: "It is not true that the commission or its staff works with any group for purposes of rigging elections as has been reported in the media."
The media recently reported that senior EC officials are "deeply involved" with the NRM's so-called 'Working Group Four' to rig elections countrywide.
The group, it is alleged, started operating in 2006. It also alleged that the group influences EC top officials to manipulate the appointment of its staff, with a plan to rig elections.
Kiggundu was addressing the press at the EC headquarters in Kampala.
He said the commission appoints its staff following the law and consults the Public Service Commission.
He conceded that sometimes lower EC workers act contrary to the commission's instructions. "Should I be accused of taking sides in elections, when a polling assistant blunders?" he asked.
Kiggundu explained that national identity cards are necessary to streamline voters' registration, adding that there is need for timely and more funding to the commission.
When asked if the commission will restrain government ministers from getting involving in the by-election in Ssembabule, he said they would not.
The opponents of the NRM candidate, Anifa Kawooya, have complained that ministers Amama Mbabazi (security) and Sam Kutesa (foreign affairs) are campaigning for her.
Other candidates in the race are Joy Kabatsi (independent) and Irene Lwanga (DP). The bye-election is scheduled for January 7.
"It is their constitutional right to support any candidate. Mbabazi is NRM's secretary general. How can I restrain him? DP top officials are on their way to the same area to support their candidate and we (the EC) cannot hold back those of NRM," he explained.
Jennifer Angeyo denied allegations that the EC denied the Democratic Party's request for a re-count in the recent Kyadondo by-election. "DP only asked for declaration forms, not a re-count."
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