Election observers have welcomed President Yoweri Museveni’s proposal to adopt the use of electronic voting in future elections to avoid malpractice.
The President’s proposal follows irregularities witnessed during the just concluded Oyam North by-election on Thursday July 6th that was won by Uganda People’s Congress’ (UPC) candidate Dr. Eunice Apio.
He demanded that action be taken against individuals who allegedly pre-ticked the ballots on behalf of voters despite the election violence that marred the by-election.
He further said that this can be avoided by adopting an electronic voting system and and the use of thumbprints.
“I insist that all voting must be electronic, using thumb prints. How, then, does the pre-ticking come in? Are some People still allowing non-electronic voting?” Museveni questioned.
Henry Muguzi, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Campaign Finance Monitoring, said that by adopting this technology, Uganda would improve the trustworthiness of its electoral system and reduce alleged voting malpractice.
Late last month, the president condemned similar issues in the Bukedea by-election and ordered a special investigation that has seen some police officers and Malinga Dan, a Bukedea town councillor, arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.