Elections are an essential part of the
democratization process and citizens’
ability to participate in free and fair
elections is one of the cardinal pillars of
a democratic and just society. For any
electoral process to be meaningful to
the citizens, it must register a reasonable
level of satisfaction to attain legitimacy
given that, as it is the foundation for
democratic governance and promotion
of integrity in any electoral process.
The concept of ‘legitimacy’ represents
acceptance of the underlying ‘rules of the
game’, so that all actors, even electoral
losers, willingly consent to rule by the
regime, without the sanction of force.
Legitimacy, in Seymour Martin Lipset’s
words, “involves the capacity of a political
system to engender and maintain the
belief that existing political institutions are
the most appropriate and proper ones
for the society.” However, when citizens
doubt the efficacy of any electoral process
or its quality, then it sets a foundation
and pattern for dispute of election results
and loss of billions of public resources.
Should these challenges consistently
remain unanswered, it can build a
disgruntled citizenry and result in serious
consequences leading to riots, destruction
of property and loss of lives as witnessed
in Kenya (2007), Zimbabwe (2008) and
Iran (2009).
Civil Society interest in the Electoral
Process in Uganda and the Formation
of a Citizens’ Coalition on Electoral
Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU)
It is with the above contention in mind
that a number of civil society organizations
came together to forge a coordinated
effort leading to the progressive
improvement in the electoral process
in Uganda, especially in light of the
forthcoming general elections in 2011
and future elections in Uganda. As part of
the process to improve coordination and
action amongst civil society organisations,
a number of organisations have agreed on
the idea of establishing a Citizens Coalition
on Electoral Democracy in Uganda
(CCEDU). The overriding agenda of this
coalition is to advocate and promote
integrity, transparency and active citizen
participation in Uganda’s electoral process
in order to deepen democracy in Uganda.
CCEDU is a broad coalition spearheaded
by like-minded civil society organisations
united in the desire to create synergy
in various electoral democracy efforts
currently being undertaken throughout
the country. Its role will be to ensure
that these initiatives, whether electoral
monitoring, civic engagement or electoral
reform, and targeting women, youth, the
disabled and all sectors of the population,
will speak with a collective voice which will
mobilize the Ugandan citizenry. In the run
up to the formation of CCEDU, several
consultations were held with both state
and nonstate actors representing a range
of constituencies and disciplines, including
NGOs, government, political parties and
development partners. A key outcome
from these consultations was a desire
to see civil society actors play a more
frontline role in mobilising citizens to make
demands and participate in efforts aimed
at realising an electoral process in Uganda
that is respected by citizens and has full
legitimacy.
In due consideration of other ongoing
state and non state initiatives on electoral
reforms in Uganda and with lessons from
other countries the promoters of CCEDU
have considered an identity, vision and
mission that adds value to existing work.
The identity of CCEDU is shaped along
the following important parameters:
CCEDU’s Vision, Mission, Objectives
and Values
Vision
A Uganda where the principles and
practices of electoral democracy are
respected and upheld
Mission
To promote integrity, transparency and
active citizen participation in Uganda’s
electoral process.
The Immediate Objectives of CCEDU
are:
- Advocate for a more enabling legal
framework in Uganda’s electoral
democracy;
- Contribute to the progressive increase
in capacity and awareness of Ugandan
citizens about their electoral rights and
duties;
- Generate, analyse and disseminate
election related reports and
developments in the democratization
process;
- Provide a platform to generate a
common civil society voice on electoral
reform and democracy issues in
Uganda.
The Ultimate aims of CCEDU are to:
- Promote wide stakeholder appreciation
and commitment to democracy and
good governance in Uganda;
- Enhance the legitimacy and integrity
of the electoral process in Uganda;
- Strengthen citizens’ contributions
to positive electoral reforms aimed at
promoting free and fair elections and
electoral democracy in Uganda.
Values
In pursuing its vision, mission and
objectives, CCEDU is guided by the
following values:
- Transparency
- Accountability of the electoral system
- Respect for human and civic rights and
duties
- Tolerance
- Gender equity and equal opportunity
- Non partisanship
- Equitable Citizen participation
|
