The opposition political party the Democratic Front has raised alarm over the existing gaps in the the country’s electoral process
warning that the credibility of the polls is at risk unless corrective measures are taken by the Electoral Commission
Addressing journalists at a press at the party headquarters in Namirembe ,the party president Rt.Hon.Mathias Mpuuga warned that c that the country is heading into an election with unresolved structural and procedural weaknesses that threaten the integrity, transparency and fairness of the elections.
According to Mpuuga, while introduction of technology like the biometric voter verification kits, also known as PVVKs, on polling day is aimed at strengthening electoral integrity the procurement and rollout of the biometric machines have been conducted in secrecy with no participation of stakeholders.
He faulted the Electoral Commission for failing to disclose the identity of the supplier, the procurement process followed, the due diligence undertaken, and the exact number and capacity of the machines reportedly procured to serve millions of voters in a single day.
He warned that the lack of transparency mirrors experiences in neighbouring countries where compromised suppliers were allegedly used to manipulate electoral systems, resulting in instability and violence.
To avert a national crisis, the Democratic Front has called on the Electoral Commission to urgently and transparently explain the legal basis for the mandatory use of biometric machines, disclose the procurement details and supplier credentials, clarify the number and capacity of the machines, and outline clear contingency measures in case of technical failure.