TheCable

Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian president and leader of the Commonwealth observer delegation to the Ugandan presidential election, has criticised the exercise.

Obasanjo, whose team had 11 members and Amos Wako of Kenya as the vice president, said the poll “fell short of meeting some key democratic benchmarks”.

He said he observed infringement on freedom of assembly and movement, as well as stifling of campaign of opposition candidates.

Before the election, Obasanjo had promised to report his findings “without fear or favour”, saying: “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. Our assessment will be our own, and we will aim to be as constructive as possible.”

On Saturday, Yoweri Museveni won a fifth term in office in an election described by international electoral observers as lacking in transparency.

He polled 60.75 percent of the votes to defeat his closet rival, Kizaa Besigye, who polled 35 percent votes.

The 71-year-old assumed power in 1986, and he has extended his 30-year rule with this victory.