BBC Discovers 'Contested Polls' Only Exist When The Leader Isn't 'Our' Leader
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, a man who has graced power for 38 years, just secured another term in a 'contested poll,' according to the BBC. The mainstream narrative highlights 'voter fraud allegations' and 'opposition candidate Bobi Wine decrying fake results.' (How original.) Yet, the same outlets often gloss over equally 'contested' democratic exercises when the victor aligns with Western
geopolitical interests. Remember Egypt's Sisi, who got 97% of the vote in 2018? Or how about the unwavering US support for Saudi Arabia's unelected monarchy? One might almost think 'contested' is a label reserved for leaders who aren't 'strategic partners' or those who don't toe the line with global financial institutions. The BBC's hand-wringing over Museveni's longevity, while valid, rarely
extends to the longevity of Western-backed dictatorships or the electoral processes in nations receiving substantial US aid, whose 'democratic' results are often pre-determined. Perhaps true journalistic scrutiny is less about universal principles and more about convenient geography?