EAC election observers leave for Uganda

RETIRED President Ally Hassan Mwinyi has deployed 17 teams of observers from the East African Community to various regions of Uganda, kicking off an electoral monitoring exercise in the country.

Alhaj Mwinyi stated in his official release that; “On this day, we are deploying a total of 17 teams of EAC observers in the various regions of Uganda to assess the level of preparedness of the elections as well as the polling process,” he said.

The statement, made available from the EAC secretariat in Arusha, revealed that the mission will issue a report of its preliminary findings of the elections on 20th of February 2016 through a press conference.

“It is my honor and pleasure to announce to the people of the Republic of Uganda about the arrival of the East African Community (EAC) Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the 18 February 2016 general elections in the Republic of Uganda.”The Mission is in the country following the invitation by the Government of the Republic of Uganda and in fulfillment of the relevant provisions of the East African Community Treaty.

Led by Alhaj Mwinyi, the team comprises 50 short-term observers drawn from the East African Legislative Assembly, National Human Rights Commissions, Electoral Management Bodies, Civil Society, EAC Youth Ambassadors and Officers from EAC Secretariat.

The EAC Election Observation Mission arrived in Kampala on February 7, this year, and will remain in the country until February 21. It was preceded by a team of election experts from the EAC Partner States who arrived on January 30.

The Mission will observe the concluding stages of the campaign process and engage in various stakeholders as well as observe the voting and counting processes on February 18.

“In its assessment of the electoral process, I would like to highlight that the EAC Election Observation Mission will be guided by the democratic principles and values outlined in the African Charter for Democracy, Elections and Governance and the EAC Principles for Election Observation and Evaluation,” said Mr Mwinyi.

He added that the assessment of the electoral process in the Republic of Uganda will be carried out in an impartial and objective manner, informed by the principles and guidelines stipulated in the aforementioned standards as well as the legal framework governing the conduct of elections in the country.

Subsequently, the EAC will release a final and comprehensive report through its policy organs after the end of the electoral process in the Republic of Uganda. Dr Abdullah Makame who is the Personal Assistant to Mr Mwinyi will be responsible for all matters concerning the press.

/Daily News.