The controversy sounding the preparation of 2011 Uganda general elections in seems not to end soon after the petitioning of the Uganda Electoral Commission (EC) in court to extend the voter registration exercise by three Ugandans.

The Uganda voter’s registration exercise which started on May 3rd and ended on the 18th of June 2010 was extended twice but activists say a number of people missed because of the short time lag.

Uganda Electoral Commision Chairman, Dr. Badru Kiggundu

The petitioners are seeking orders to compel EC to  gazette a day, which should be declared a public holiday to enable students, full time employees and other interested persons opportunity to register.

The petitioners are Barongo Atenyi, Oliver Nabbosa and Edward Nakibinge. They petitioned the court through their lawyers, Rwakafuzi and company advocates. They claim that the exercise was so slow and the officials were always shifting from one place to another, denying many people opportunity to vote.

They argue that the students in high school who are of voting age were not given an opportunity to register to vote especially those in boarding schools.

The court has given the Uganda Electoral Commission only fifteen days to file its defence. The chairperson of the commission, Eng. Badru Kiggundu however vows that EC will not extend national voter registration exercise.

Walakira Nyanzi, Ultimate Media