Stakeholder management and compliance with election guidelines in Uganda: a case study of the 2006 elections in Kasese town council

Abstract

The study sought to examine the extent to which stakeholder management strategies employed by the E.C of Uganda, affect the compliance by election administrators with electoral guidelines. Specifically this research sought to examine the effect of stakeholder identification procedures on compliance with electoral guidelines in Kasese Town council, to establish the effect of stakeholder analysis on compliance with electoral guidelines in Kasese Town council, to examine the effect of the adopted strategy of training on compliance with electoral guidelines in Kasese Town council, to find out the effect of the adopted strategy of facilitation on compliance with electoral guidelines in Kasese Town council and to evaluate the moderating effect of political interference on compliance with electoral guidelines in Kasese Town council.

The study focused on election administrators in Kasese Town Council, including polling officials, party agents, tally clerks and supervisors. Responses were sought from officials in the E.C planning departments and the media houses in Kasese District. Using a case study design, data was collected through self administered questionnaires, interview guides and documentary review. Findings of the study indicate that compliance was greatly affected by inadequate procedures for identification of election officials. After recruitment, no attempts were made to clearly analyze the needs, attitudes and expectations of these officials. Training strategies lacked in methodology, duration and content while training environments were too crowded. Responses on facilitation indicated gaps in the provision of transport, communication, technical support and allowances. Although traces of political interference were reported, analysis of this as a moderating variable had very low significance averaging about 0.51. The study recommends outsourcing of the recruitment function for officials at supervisor level and professional approaches in identification of election officials including administration of standard evaluation criteria like competence tests. To understand election officials, there should be wider consultation with stake holders at sub county level. Training should be more practical, cover all aspects of elections and last for more than a day in more conducive environments. Better compliance levels will require improved enumeration and better provision for transport, communication and technical support to polling officials. There is need for more research on other stakeholders like security organs, political parties, and media houses. Studies should also be conducted comparing different election regimes locally and abroad to assess levels of improvement and to recommend better approaches for the future.