The chairperson for Uganda Electoral commission justice Simon Byabakama has responded to president Museveni’s criticism saying they are valuable feedback that informs the electoral body on the quality of services and areas which require s attention.
Speaking to women leaders at hotel African over the weekend, Museveni expressed displeasure with the Electoral Commission blaming it for grossly mismanaging recent elections. He blamed EC for importing ghost voters into the register, specifically in reference to Jinja East by-elections where FDC’s candidate Paul Mwiru defeated NRM flag bearer Nathan Igeme Nabeta.
“The Electoral Commission is full of rotten people, I am going to get rid of them, why should we suffer with corrupt electoral officials when NRM has got so much man power, they should get out,”
According to a statement released by EC and signed by Justice Byabakama, the Electoral Commission has noted with concerns raised by some stakeholders about the integrity of national voters register used in the recent parliamentary by-election.
“The commission appreciates stakeholder’s criticism because they are valuable feedback that informs the electoral body on the quality of services and areas which require s attention,” he said.
He said, the commission is reviewing reports on the concluded by-election and has appointed a technical committee to investigate any claims related to the integrity of the register with a view of establishing facts of allegations and be able to apply remedial measures where necessary for future elections.
Justice Simon Byabakama was on November 18, 2016 named as Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Uganda, replacing Engineer Badru Kiggundu, whose 14-year term reign had ended.