A referendum on restoring multi-party politics was held in Uganda on 28 July 2005. Political parties had been banned from competing in elections for nearly 20 years in order to curb sectarian tensions. President Yoweri Museveni instituted the non-party "Movement" system of government when he came to power in 1986. A referendum was held in 2000, but the proposal was rejected by over 90% of voters. This time it was approved by over 90% of voters.
2005 Ugandan multi-party referendum
28 July 2005
Do you agree to open up the political space to allow those who wish to join different organisations/parties to do so to compete for political power?
The Ugandan Parliament voted to conduct the referendum on 4 May 2005. Enthusiasm for the poll was muted, however, as both the government and opposition supported a return to a multiparty system. Some political groupings, including the Forum for Democratic Change, boycotted the poll, claiming that it would legitimise 19 years of rule by an effective one-party state. President Museveni castigated the boycotters for "not contributing to the development of Uganda".[1] Other observers suggested the $12.5m spent on the referendum might have been put to better use elsewhere in Uganda, one of the poorest countries in the world.
The lengthy question presented to voters on their ballots was criticised for being confusing: "Do you agree to open up the political space to allow those who wish to join different organisations/parties to do so to compete for political power?" Symbols of a tree and a house accompanied the 'yes' and 'no' boxes, respectively, on the ballot.
More than 90% of voters backed the return to multi-party politics. Some observers expressed surprise at the official figures given for voter turnout. Initial estimates indicated that less than 30% of Uganda's 8.5 million voters had turned out for the poll. The Electoral Commission, however, released an official figure of 47%. A low turnout would have been embarrassing for Museveni.
Resultsedit
Do you agree to open up the political space to allow those who wish to join different organisations/ parties to do so to compete for political power?
Choice
Votes
%
For
3,643,223
92.44
Against
297,865
7.56
Total
3,941,088
100.00
Valid votes
3,941,088
97.69
Invalid/blank votes
93,144
2.31
Total votes
4,034,232
100.00
Registered voters/turnout
8,524,230
47.33
Source: IFES
Referencesedit
^Museveni castigates opposition boycotters 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine New Vision, 28 July 2005
2005, ugandan, multi, party, referendum, referendum, restoring, multi, party, politics, held, uganda, july, 2005, political, parties, been, banned, from, competing, elections, nearly, years, order, curb, sectarian, tensions, president, yoweri, museveni, instit. A referendum on restoring multi party politics was held in Uganda on 28 July 2005 Political parties had been banned from competing in elections for nearly 20 years in order to curb sectarian tensions President Yoweri Museveni instituted the non party Movement system of government when he came to power in 1986 A referendum was held in 2000 but the proposal was rejected by over 90 of voters This time it was approved by over 90 of voters 2005 Ugandan multi party referendum28 July 2005Do you agree to open up the political space to allow those who wish to join different organisations parties to do so to compete for political power ResultsChoice Votes Yes 3 643 223 92 44 No 297 865 7 56 Valid votes 3 941 088 97 69 Invalid or blank votes 93 144 2 31 Total votes 4 034 232 100 00 Registered voters turnout 8 524 230 47 33 Contents 1 Background 2 Results 3 References 4 External linksBackground editThe Ugandan Parliament voted to conduct the referendum on 4 May 2005 Enthusiasm for the poll was muted however as both the government and opposition supported a return to a multiparty system Some political groupings including the Forum for Democratic Change boycotted the poll claiming that it would legitimise 19 years of rule by an effective one party state President Museveni castigated the boycotters for not contributing to the development of Uganda 1 Other observers suggested the 12 5m spent on the referendum might have been put to better use elsewhere in Uganda one of the poorest countries in the world The lengthy question presented to voters on their ballots was criticised for being confusing Do you agree to open up the political space to allow those who wish to join different organisations parties to do so to compete for political power Symbols of a tree and a house accompanied the yes and no boxes respectively on the ballot More than 90 of voters backed the return to multi party politics Some observers expressed surprise at the official figures given for voter turnout Initial estimates indicated that less than 30 of Uganda s 8 5 million voters had turned out for the poll The Electoral Commission however released an official figure of 47 A low turnout would have been embarrassing for Museveni Results editDo you agree to open up the political space to allow those who wish to join different organisations parties to do so to compete for political power ChoiceVotes For3 643 22392 44Against297 8657 56Total3 941 088100 00Valid votes3 941 08897 69Invalid blank votes93 1442 31Total votes4 034 232100 00Registered voters turnout8 524 23047 33Source IFESReferences edit Museveni castigates opposition boycotters Archived 2007 09 27 at the Wayback Machine New Vision 28 July 2005 Campaigns end security on high alert permanent dead link The Monitor 27 July 2005 Uganda votes on electoral change BBC News 28 July 2005 Multi party poll divides Ugandan press BBC News 28 July 2005 Multi party leads in poll permanent dead link The Monitor 29 July 2005 Uganda backs multi party return BBC News 29 July 2005 Uganda backs multiparty politics early results show Reuters 29 July 2005 Poor voter turnout mars referendum permanent dead link The Monitor 29 July 2005 Turnup low in referendum New Vision 29 July 2005External links editUganda Electoral Commission Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2005 Ugandan multi party referendum amp oldid 1149701609, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
