Election observers have welcomed President Yoweri Museveni’s proposal to adopt the use of electronic voting in future elections to avoid malpractice.
Museveni’s proposal follows irregularities witnessed during the just concluded Oyam North parliamentary by-election that was won by Uganda People’s Congress’ (UPC) Dr. Eunice Apio.
He condemned the election violence that marred the by-election and demanded that action be taken against those who are said to have ticked the ballots on behalf of the voters.
This, he said, can be avoided by adopting electronic voting and the use of thumbprints.
Earlier, Museveni had condemned similar vices in the Bukedea by-election held last month and ordered special investigations that have since seen several police officers and a councilor arrested by the state house anti-corruption unit.
The Executive Director of Alliance for Campaign Finance Monitoring, Henry Muguzi says that by adopting this technology, Uganda would enhance the credibility of its electoral system and reduce the likelihood of voting malpractice, such as ballot stuffing or double voting.
