2006 Uganda Elections - Interim Statement

Commonwealth Observer Group Interim Statement

The following statement was issued this afternoon by the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group, HE Sir Ketumile Masire:

"The results process is still continuing, so it is too soon to make an assessment of the entire voting and results phase. Nevertheless, I do not want this historic moment - the first multi-party elections in 26 years - to pass without a statement from the Commonwealth Observer Group.

Our Group deployed ten two-person teams on 23 February to observe the voting phase of Uganda's Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. There were three teams in Kampala and one each in Gulu, Lira, Mbale, Jinja, Mbarara, Kabale and Hoima, each with an interpreter. Together our teams sought to obtain a representative sample of the process, to enable us to arrive at a broad overview.

We were present for the opening of the polling stations and then observed throughout the day at as many others as possible, ending with the counting of the votes. We then tracked the polling station results from the counts through to the district centres, to determine whether they were transmitted accurately. In Kampala our teams have been - and are still - present at the national results centre to observe the final stages of the process.

There were some shortcomings on voting day. Many stations opened late. Voters did not always know what to do, reflecting deficiencies in voter education. To a large extent, the party agents were too far away to observe the checking of the register and identity documents properly. Rain disrupted the process badly in some places and there was inadequate alternative provision. Poor lighting, rain and power cuts made the counting process difficult in many places. Most seriously, a significant number of names were missing from the register and seals were often not correctly applied - in several places they were not used at all.

Daniel Woolford on +256 (0)772 181 904; email: d.woolford@commonwealth.int