Uganda votes on election reform News
Uganda votes on election reform

[JURIST] Ugandans voted Thursday to decide whether to allow a multiparty system, after a ban of nearly 20 years by President Yoweri Museveni [Wikipedia profile] who claimed political parties promoted tribal divisions and were responsible causing civil war. The referendum was the initial step in reforming the country's constitution [text], which prohibits political parties from campaigning in elections. Museveni agreed to reintroduce multiparty politics if a majority of voters approved, but only after international pressure. Opposition groups have largely boycotted the referendum as a waste of money, demanding reforms without a vote. An Electoral Commission official said vote counting began soon after the polls closed and provisional results would be released Friday. AP has more.