Wednesday 23 February 2011

US speaks out on 2011 Uganda Presidential elections

y Benon Herbert Oluka  (email the author)




Posted Wednesday, February 23 2011 at 12:08

The United States government has spoken out on Uganda’s general elections, saying it is disappointed by the diversion of government resources for partisan campaigns, the heavy deployment of security on Election Day and other electoral irregularities.
However, according to the statement by the US Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, Philip J. Crowley, the US considers the general election held on February 18 and the campaign period that preceded it to have been generally peaceful.
“The elections and campaign period were generally peaceful, but we note with concern the diversion of government resources for partisan campaigning and the heavy deployment of security forces on Election Day,” says the statement. “We are also disappointed by the disorganisation at polling stations and the absence of many registered voters’ names from the voter rolls, irregularities that could have been avoided by appointing an independent and more representative Electoral Commission.”
The US has however urged all participants in the electoral process to abide by the official results, refrain from violence, and channel grievances through the country’s independent judiciary.
“Democracy requires commitment at all levels of government and society to the rule of law, freedom of speech and assembly, independent media, and active civil society,” says the statement. “We urge the Ugandan government to undertake the electoral and administrative reforms that will substantially improve future elections and will strengthen the country's commitment to multiparty democracy and human rights for the next generation of Ugandan citizens.”
THE FULL STATEMENT
Statement by Philip Crowley, US assistance secretary of state for Public Affairs, on Uganda’s February 18 presidential and parliamentary elections:
The United States applauds the people of Uganda for their participation in the February 18 presidential and parliamentary elections and congratulates President Yoweri Museveni on his reelection.
The elections and campaign period were generally peaceful, but we note with concern the diversion of government resources for partisan campaigning and the heavy deployment of security forces on Election Day.
We are also disappointed by the disorganization at polling stations and the absence of many registered voters’ names from the voter rolls, irregularities that could have been avoided by appointing an independent and more representative Electoral Commission.
Nevertheless, we urge all participants to abide by the official results, refrain from violence, and channel grievances through Uganda’s independent judiciary.
Democracy requires commitment at all levels of government and society to the rule of law, freedom of speech and assembly, independent media, and active civil society.
We urge the Ugandan government to undertake the electoral and administrative reforms that will substantially improve future elections and will strengthen the country's commitment to multiparty democracy and human rights for the next generation of Ugandan citizens.

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Add a comment (4 comments so far)
  1. Submitted by Jaryeko
    Posted February 23, 2011 02:24 PM
    Who told US we have independent judiciary? Do expect agoat to win acourt where alion is ajudge?
  2. Submitted by monitorer4u
    Posted February 23, 2011 01:35 PM
    It is very disappointing to hear this double-talk from the US. They condem the process but urge us to follow the outcome of the process! Have you not learnt from the lessons in the middle-east? How can you keep on backing supporting dictators at the expence of the people?
  3. Submitted by bbuule22
    Posted February 23, 2011 01:27 PM
    Before we can say the USA has double standards we need to remember that although there were irregularities in the elections, it is still very hard to determine whether M7 lost or not because there are people who genuinely voted for him. Looks like the only option remaining is the courts...

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