Electoral Processes And The Future Of Democracy In Uganda: Acase Of 2006 Presidential And Parliamentary Election Petitions

ABSTRACT

The 2006 Presidential and Parliamentary elections were marred with voter

disenfranchisement, vote rigging, violence and bribery. The outcome precipitated court

battles for both presidential and parliamentary elections. This study was conducted to

assess the electoral processes and the future of democracy in Uganda. This included:

analyzing the legal, policy, institutional and electoral processes of 2006. The findings of

the study indicate that the 2006 elections had several irregularities in the conduct of the

polls. These included deployment of soldiers on polling stations, intimidation of

supporters, and manipulation of voters' registers, which denied a number of people from

voting.

The study recommends that several reforms be undertaken: They include;- Overhaul of

the composition of the Electoral Commission, denying election offenders to participate or

re-run in bye-elections, following their conviction. The study also emphasised a need to

enhance freedom of the media, and proper vetting of presidential and parliamentary

candidates. Security forces should not be pemutted to participate in election processes,

Universal suffrage, checks and balances between judicial and legislative branches. The civil society orgaiusations should be vibrant watchdogs over electoral processes.