By Kabuye Ronald
The opposition Democratic Front (DF) party has called on the Electoral Commission to demonstrate transparency regarding the efficiency of the newly imported biometric voter verification machines ahead of the national elections.
Last Tuesday, the Electoral Commission imported 60,000 biometric verification kits to be used for voter identification through thumbprint and facial recognition technology.
However, DF President Rt. Hon. Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba expressed concern that the commission was “operating in the dark,” noting that there is currently no law mandating the compulsory use of these machines as directed by the commission and the ruling NRM government.
Mpuuga recalled that during the 2021 general elections, similar machines were deployed, but many reportedly malfunctioned. He urged the commission to “come clean” and assure the public of the machines’ efficiency, emphasizing that the procurement process had been undertaken without the input of key stakeholders, including the opposition.
According to Mpuuga, such unilateral decisions and unchecked procurements open the door to potential vote rigging and manipulation.
The DF leader made these remarks while addressing party flag bearers at a one-day post-nomination training and orientation held at the party’s headquarters in Namirembe.
A total of 88 DF candidates were successfully nominated by the Electoral Commission to contest for various parliamentary seats across the country, including positions for district woman representatives.
The orientation aimed to equip the candidates with leadership knowledge, campaign skills, and strategic guidance to effectively navigate the election period.
