A look at the factors that have forced Uganda Musicians Electoral Commission to postpone election, a vote seen as a way to make changes in the Association’s leadership.
The Uganda Musicians Association (UMA) were forced to cancel elections after the process being flawed with alleged malpractice and online technical hitch.
#OFFICIAL: With all the overwhelming concerns from various candidates and members, our Electoral Committee has made a decision to stop today's UMA General Elections. We shall announce a way forward in due course! Regards#UMADecides2022pic.twitter.com/8TESMFrDfA
— UGANDA MUSICIANS ASSOCIATION (@UgandaMusicians) June 6, 2022
Through the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA) social handles, the electoral commission had assured voters of the voting day that was set on Monday 6th June 2022.
However, despite the big turn up and response to the digital online elections that kick started at 11:00AM on Monday and was being conducted through the phone SMS under the code *260#, elections couldn’t proceed following complaints of malpractice from one of the contestants, singer King Saha as he accused his opponent, Cindy Sanyu of rigging the votes.
In addition to that, the online voting system was affected with a technical glitch following the slow and total system shutdown affecting the entire voting process.
The unforeseen circumstance that saw the screens meant to show the voter turn up at the main tally center at National Theatre go off left Lord Bitem and King Saha ranting and Saha through his lawyer Erias Lukwago petitioned the election board to cancel the elections.
Despite assurances from NITA and UMA electoral commission of solving the irregularities, Godfrey Ekongot, the Association electoral chairman had no choice but to endure to the pressure and use his powers invested in him to cancel the elections.
Before the system shutdown and cancelation the elections, incumbent Cindy Sanyu was in an early lead above rivals King Saha and Lord Bitem.
