Over 600 observers to monitor Uganda's general elections

Uganda's Electoral Commission (EC) has cleared over 600 international and local election observes to monitor the country's forthcoming elections.

EC's Deputy Chairperson Margaret Magoba was quoted by local press on Friday as saying that 600 observers have fulfilled the requirements to monitor the country's general elections.

"The organization applies to the EC, which either accredits if the requirements are fulfilled or rejects the application. The 600 observers have fulfilled the requirements," Magoba was quoted as saying.

Magoba said seven international observers from the European Union (EU) were already in the country.

EU's Antonio Jose Gabriel was quoted as saying that the organization would send 100 monitors.

Magoba said although over 100 international observers from the African Union, the Commonwealth and the East African Community had been cleared, EC was expecting more applications.

She said many local organizations had expressed interest in monitoring the elections although only 400 had been cleared.

Uganda will hold its first multiparty presidential elections in the last 20 years on February 23, 2006.

Five candidates including incumbent President Yoweri Museveni are traversing the country conversing support.

Source: Xinhua