I will report Ugandan election without fear, says Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is currently in Uganda as head of the delegation of Commonwealth Observers for the country’s presidential election, says he will report what he sees in the East African nation “without fear or favour”.

According to a statement which the Commonwealth secretariat in London issued on Tuesday, the Nigerian leader advised stakeholders in the country to ensure that the poll conforms to acceptable standard.

“As observers, we hope to see a transparent and credible election process. Our eyes are open, and we will report what we see without fear or favour,” Will Henley, a spokesman for Commonwealth, who signed the statement, quoted Obasanjo as saying.

“All stakeholders, including party candidates and supporters, election officials, police and security forces, should play their part in ensuring voters are free to express their preference at the ballot box.

“They should ensure that the election is conducted peacefully, without resort to intimidation or violence.”

The statement expressed the group’s determination to be utterly impartial and objective in conducting its observation duties, acting in the group’s individual capacities as independent commonwealth citizens.

“Our assessment will be our own, and we will aim to be as constructive as possible,” Obasanjo was quoted as saying,” the statement read.

“I wish the people of Uganda well and pledge the unwavering solidarity of the Commonwealth family to the strengthening of the country’s democracy.”

The statement said Obasanjo and heads of other international observer missions in Uganda cautioned Ugandan stakeholders over the election.

It stated that the group called on them to “refrain from any act, statement or dissemination of information that may cause tension, ill-will, disturbance, intimidation and adversely affect the peaceful and orderly conduct of elections.”

It added that the Commonwealth Observer Group had been in Uganda since Thursday, adding that the 13-member team had Amos Wako, a former attorney-general of Kenya, as vice chairman.

It explained that since its arrival, the group had met the electoral commission to discuss preparations for polling day.

The statement added that the group had also heard from political parties, citizen observer groups, human rights, gender and youth groups, as well as resident high commissioners from Commonwealth countries.