Politics
Kikuube violence: EC suspends elections in 14 villages, over 20 arrested
In the affected villages, the election turned violent after people whose names didn’t appear in the register forcefully wanted to participate in the polls.
Kikuube District Returning Officer Emmanuel Twine (right) and a member of his staff arrange election materials ahead of the polls. (PHOTO BY PETER ABAANABASAZI)
By: Peter Abaanabasazi, Journalist @New Vision
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Electoral Commission (EC) has suspended elections in 14 villages from different sub-counties in Kikuube district over violence.
Emmanuel Twine, the Kikuube district returning officer, on Wednesday, said that elections in those areas were suspended until further notice after voters turned violent.
Affected villages are: Kyakatemba village in Kidoma parish, Kiziranfumbi sub-county; Rwekoobe and Kyakajaka villages in Bugambe sub-county; Kyamugoba, Kikona, Kibararu East, Kihabwemi North villages in Buhimba sub-county and Kyarushesha A, Nyamuragira, Kyamugasa, Kyarubari villages in Kyangwali sub-county and Kihenda and Kyabahinda in Kabwoya sub-county.
He explained that in the affected villages, the election turned violent after people whose names didn’t appear in the register forcefully wanted to participate in the polls.
He reported that whereas the election officers attempted to explain to the groups that nobody was allowed to vote without being in the register, their plea fell on deaf ears.
As the violence intensified, the officers decided to cancel the polling.
The aggrieved group claimed that the election was not free and fair on the grounds that several people voted when they were not on the register.
He reported that whereas the election officers attempted to explain to the groups that nobody was allowed to vote without being in the register, their plea fell on deaf ears.
As the violence intensified, the officers decided to cancel the polling.
The aggrieved group claimed that the election was not free and fair on the grounds that several people voted when they were not on the register.
The Kikuube district resident commissioner, Godwine Angalia, condemned the acts of violence that were registered during the election.
He added that over 20 people, including candidates, were arrested for their alleged participation in election violence, and they are currently detained at Kikuube police station.
Twine said after the elections were suspended, he (Twine) communicated to the electoral commission in Kampala, and no date has been communicated for conducting elections in affected villages.
He reported that the elections went on as they had planned in other villages. He added that over 20 candidates who lost the election have already filed petitions protesting against the results.
Kikuube district has 335 villages and 29 parishes.
He added that over 20 people, including candidates, were arrested for their alleged participation in election violence, and they are currently detained at Kikuube police station.
Twine said after the elections were suspended, he (Twine) communicated to the electoral commission in Kampala, and no date has been communicated for conducting elections in affected villages.
He reported that the elections went on as they had planned in other villages. He added that over 20 candidates who lost the election have already filed petitions protesting against the results.
Kikuube district has 335 villages and 29 parishes.