NPP Demands Fresh Village Women Council Elections Over Alleged Irregularities

Uganda's National Peasants' Party (NPP) is demanding the annulment of Village Women Council elections, citing widespread irregularities and a flawed electoral process. The party alleges that security agencies and electoral officials oversaw a process marred by intimidation, violence, ballot stuffing, and the manipulation of results.

In a statement signed by Secretary General Sharif Sentongo Nambale, the NPP condemned the "shameful conduct" of the elections. The party claims that armed security personnel were deployed to intimidate voters, and women's participation was suppressed. The NPP accuses the Electoral Commission of failing to maintain impartiality throughout the exercise.

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The National Peasants' Party strongly condemns the shameful conduct of today's LC Women Representatives elections across the country.

The opposition party is calling for the cancellation of results in affected areas, thorough investigations, and the prosecution of individuals responsible for undermining democratic principles. They also demand an explanation from the Electoral Commission to restore public confidence in the electoral system. The NPP expressed solidarity with women and voters who they say resisted "an assault on democracy."

Reports from various parts of Uganda indicated delays in voting, disputes over voter registers, and other procedural challenges. The Village Women Council elections, held on July 23, are the first phase of Uganda's Local Council electoral program. The NPP's allegations add to concerns previously raised by opposition parties regarding the conduct of these grassroots elections, which are crucial for community mobilization and representation.

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an assault on democracy.