EC warns against tribalism
May 21, 2004
THE Electoral Commission (EC) has warned candidates for the Mbale Municipality parliamentary by-election against making statements that promote tribal hatred and disunity.
By Nathan Etengu
THE Electoral Commission (EC) has warned candidates for the Mbale Municipality parliamentary by-election against making statements that promote tribal hatred and disunity.
EC Mbale registrar Abdu Batambuze said some statements attributed to candidates and their supporters could lead to violence during the May 25 by-elections.
He was recently addressing the candidates and their agents at his office.
District Police chief Stephen Musoke and an official from the district internal security office attended the meeting.
Batambuze cited an incident where the LC5 chairman, Bernard Mujasi, allegedly told the Bagisu to travel to Mbale town to guard the votes jealously.
He said Mujasi claimed that the EC was carrying out an illegal registration of voters in favour of a certain candidate.
“All these are blatant lies that are likely to incite public hatred and cause violence,†he said.
Mujasi, however, said he merely urged the voters to keep surveillance at the polling centres to ensure that there was no rigging.
He said the district had a track record of election mal-practices.
THE Electoral Commission (EC) has warned candidates for the Mbale Municipality parliamentary by-election against making statements that promote tribal hatred and disunity.
EC Mbale registrar Abdu Batambuze said some statements attributed to candidates and their supporters could lead to violence during the May 25 by-elections.
He was recently addressing the candidates and their agents at his office.
District Police chief Stephen Musoke and an official from the district internal security office attended the meeting.
Batambuze cited an incident where the LC5 chairman, Bernard Mujasi, allegedly told the Bagisu to travel to Mbale town to guard the votes jealously.
He said Mujasi claimed that the EC was carrying out an illegal registration of voters in favour of a certain candidate.
“All these are blatant lies that are likely to incite public hatred and cause violence,†he said.
Mujasi, however, said he merely urged the voters to keep surveillance at the polling centres to ensure that there was no rigging.
He said the district had a track record of election mal-practices.