The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) chairperson Dr Badru Kiggundu has said he is not scared of announcing the outcome of next week’s general elections.
The IEC boss made the disclosure following claims that he was intercepted at Entebbe International Airport trying to flee the country.
‘’Who examined my heart? I am not easily scared, I may be small in size but have a hard heart,” Mr Kiggundu said adding: “Whatever the law provides is what I will do.”
Mr Kigunddu, who was addressing the press at the EC headquarters in Kampala, also apologized to Ugandans for the appearance of 200,000 ghost voters on the register, saying it was a statistical error which has been rectified.
The chairperson also cautioned candidates who have been campaigning beyond 6pm as provided by the EC guidelines to desist from it as they will be penalized.
According to Mr Kiggundu, the total number of registered voters is 15,277,198 and about 15,987,800 presidential ballot papers were printed.
He also assured voters that non possession of the National ID doesn’t deprive one of the right to vote.
“As long as your name appears on the voters register, you will be able to vote even without a voter location slip or national ID,”Mr Kiggundu said.
However, he advised voters to pick their voter location slips and national IDs as with them, the voting process will be made faster.
Kiggundu also said the IEC started a training exercise for polling agents which will end tomorrow; regional officers, district registrars, sub county supervisors and parish supervisors are being trained on the usage of the Biometric Voter Identification system.
Meanwhile, at the same press briefing, the Inspector General of Police General Kale Kayihura assured voters of a peaceful election period and rebuffed claims that it was a mock election as many reports claimed.
“I have policed three national elections but this one has given me reason to celebrate, it is full of competition right from the party primaries, vigilance by all camps and absolutely tension free. This is a genuine election,” He said.
The IGP however, warned supporters of different candidates to stop putting up effigies as they were banned in 2010. He said police will put down all of them countrywide.
I am not scared of announcing election results – Kiggundu
