Uganda’s women want elections body to declare results forms

(Kampala, Monday 29th February 2016) Today women leaders from Uganda filed formal requests that the Electoral Commission provide them with Declaration of Results Forms from all polling stations in a subset of Districts where: either a substantial number of valid votes in the Presidential Election were excluded from the national tally or where there was almost 100% voter turnout, with virtually all registered voter’s votes included in the national tally. For example, the votes from approximately 1700 polling stations were excluded from the final national results announced by the Electoral Commission on Saturday February 20—with no explanation.

The leaders’ requests are consistent with the requirements of the state described Article 41(1) of the 1995 Constitution—that every citizen has a right of access to information in the possession of the state or any other organ or agency of the state. The right is also enshrined in the Access to Information Act (Act 4 of 2005) under section 5 (1).

According to those making the request, these Presidential Election data are impossible to explain logically, and warrant immediate independent scrutiny by patriotic Ugandan citizens.

The leaders encouraged the Electoral Commission to act urgently in response to their time sensitive request, should the outcome have an effect on the results of the Presidential election.

“We call on all Patriotic Ugandans to join us, and also to submit requests for Declaration of Results Forms from the Electoral Commission,” said Elon Natumanya, who was among the group submitting requests today. “We cannot rest until we uncover the causes of the shocking irregularities that plagued our 2016 elections.”

The Districts for which the requests for Declaration of Results Forms were made include: Rukungiri, Jinja Kyenjojo, Kabale, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Amuru, Gulu, Kampala, Wakiso, Ssembabule, Kaabong, Nakapiripirit, and Moroto.

For God and My country

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