Election Observers in the Rwenzori region under CEW-IT trained in the use of ICTs in the Monitoring election Process: By Timothy & Godfrey

It was an exciting day for election observers in the Rwenzori region under CEW-IT as they attended a two day training on how they will use the ICTs in the monitoring of the election process in the Rwenzori region .the training started today at 9.30 am at ST.Joseph’s conference centre- virika in Fort portal municipality Kabarole District. Participants at the training were drawn from RWECO partners RIC-NET, KALI, RAC, Good hope, IWDP, KRC, organizations operating in the seven districts of the region. The consortium is aimed at ensuring that there is a free and fair election process in the Rwenzori region. The consortium has sister organizations such as CEFRD in Gulu, PAC in Soroti, ACORD in west Nile.

Two day training on election monitoring process using IT was organized under five key objectives:
1. To orient election observers on the use of the USHAHIDI web monitoring plat form.
2. To Orient election observers with the citizens manifesto and discuss issues concerning the citizen manifesto in the Rwenzori
3. To have an over view of election laws and procedures
4. To have an over view of election history of Uganda
5. To equip election observers with tips on how to face the citizens during in the election monitoring process.

The facilitators mainly from the electoral commission-District Registrars from the districts of Kabarole,Kyenjojo and Bundibugyo led participants through an over view of electoral laws and procedures putting much emphasis on guidelines for monitoring and reporting during the nomination, campaign, voting, tallying and results declaration processes. During the presentation, the District registrars explained the mandate of the electoral Commission and the key laws governing the electoral process; namely the 1995 constitution of Uganda as amended. The presidential elections Act 2005, the parliamentary elections Act 2005, Local governments act (Cap 243), the electoral commission act (Cap 140), the Political parties and organizations act.

The district registrars from six of the districts of the Rwenzori region were able to give a distinquition between an election monitor and an election observer and where each derives its mandate. The key distinquition being that monitors have powers to cause remedial actions and this mandate is entrusted with the electoral commission officials while the observers do not have the mandate to intervene and change the course of the electoral process but only to observe and make reports to the electoral commission.

During the discussion, it was noted that fairness of the electoral process can not be determined by what transpires on the election/voting day alone arguing that the entire process should be analyzed right from the enactment of electoral laws to declaration of results. To this the participants were taken through out the electoral process and pointing out key areas of interest to be analyzed by observers if they were to measure the fairness of an election.

The importance of working with the Electoral Commission in voter education and election monitoring was highlighted. Therefore organizations should have a relationship with the commission that is not antagonistic to achieve better outcomes. The issue of neutrality was emphasized and observers argued not to take political sides.

While presenting on the overview of electoral history of Uganda and east Africa, which highlighted the turmoil east Africa has gone through, Mr. Gwada Ogot noted that the power of the people should be respected by politicians. He noted that what happens in the neighboring country affects the other citing a clear example of the recent Kenya elections whose impact is still being felt to date by not only Kenya but also her neighbors Uganda inclusive. The over view clearly showed the interdependence and role of key players in the democratic process noting that the process can only be as good as the players (stakeholders) Involved.

The documentary on the citizen manifesto was viewed by participants highlighting keys issues of importance to the citizens. The citizen manifesto is premised on the principle that citizens interests are primarily for the state’s survival and security, the pursuit of wealth and economic growth and power and preservation of national heritage and culture. The manifesto puts citizens at the fore front of shaping the agenda of politicians and the political systems for which politicians and government should be working. It was observed that the lack of strategic thinking is the major reason why national policies often fail to be proactive and forward thinking. However, for the citizen manifesto philosophy to take root, the civic competence of citizens must be enhanced for them to be able to demand for what they deserve and hold the leaders accountable.

Finally participants were introduced to the use of IT in the monitoring process to foster information flow on incidents and disseminating results. The facilitator Mr. Emmanuel from the USHAHIDI web monitoring plat form highlighted how the web based system works and how the observers will use to report issues while observing the elections.