Widespread international coverage was given to the Press Conference addressed by Prof Edward Scicluna MEP, Chief Observer, of the European Union Observation Mission (EU EOM) in Kampala last Wednesday. He had just concluded a first round of discussions with the Ugandan Electoral Commission, representatives of the Ugandan political parties and civil society leaders.
The EU–EOM is the largest observation mission in Ugandan Presidential and Parlamentary elections to be held February 18th.
Prof Scicluna said:
“I have had constructive and informative discussions with a range of actors involved in these elections. I also note that the campaign has so far not been marred by any serious violent incident. It is our hope that this remains the case for the rest of the campaign period, on Election Day itself and, most importantly, directly after the results are announced.”
“Violence has no part to play in a democratic process anywhere in the world.”
During discussions at the Electoral Commission, Prof Scicluna noted the measures being undertaken to facilitate the conduct of the elections, while he also took into consideration the various concerns expressed by the political parties in opposition.
He added: “We very much hope the Electoral Commission will follow international best practice by posting the election results broken down polling station by polling station. This will lead to greater transparency of the election process and greater confidence and trust among voters in the eventual outcome.”
Edward Scicluna jibda hidmietu fl-Elezzjonijiet tal-Uganda
Bl-attenzjoni dinjija fuq l-Uganda ghall-Elezzjonijiet Presidenzjali u Parlamentari li se jsiru nhar il-Gimgha, 18 ta Frar, il-midja tat rapport vast ta’ Konferenza Stampa moghtija nhar l-Erbgha li ghadda f’Kampala mill-Ewroparlamentari Laburista l-Professur Edward Scicluna, li se jkun l-Kap ta’ Missjoni ta’ Osservaturi tal-Unjoni Ewropea (EU EOM) ghal dawn l-elezzjonijiet.
Ftit qabel il-Konferenza Stampa Prof Scicluna kien ghadu kemm temm l-ewwel minn sensiela ta’ laqghat mal-Kummissjoni Elettorali u ma’ rapprezentanti tal-partiti politici u ma’ mexxejja ta’ socjetajiet civili.
Il-Missjoni li qieghed imexxi l-Professur Scicluna hija l-akbar wahda li hemm ghal dawn l-Elezzjonijiet.
Tul il-Konferenza Stampa Prof Scicluna ddeskrieva l-ewwel diskussjonijiet li kellu bhala kostruttivi u informattivi u esprima s-sodisfazzjon tieghu li s’issa l-kampanja elettorali kienet minghajr incidenti serji. Huwa esprima t-tama li din is-sitwazzjoni tibqa’ hekk tul dawn l-ahhar jiem tal-kampanja elettorali, kif ukoll f’Jum il-Votazjoni innifsu u aktar u aktar wara li jithabbru r-rizultati. Enfasizza bil-qawwa li l-vjolenza m’ghandha ebda forma ta’ lok fi process demokratiku, hu liema hu l-pajjiz.
Waqt id-diskussjoni mal-Kummissjoni Elettorali Prof Scicluna ha konjizzjoni tal-mizuri mahsubin biex jiffacilitaw il-process tal-elezzjoni waqt li nnota t-thassib espress minn rapprezentanti tal-partiti tal-Oppozizzjoni.
Prof Scicluna esprima t-tama li l-Kummissjoni Elettorali tadotta l-prattika internazzjonali u tohrog ir-rizultati kif dikjarati f’kull post tal-votazzjoni. Dan iwassal ghal trasparenza akbar tal-process elettorali u jnissel aktar fiducja fost l-elettorat.