Kira elections cancelled

Mar 07, 2011

THE Electoral Commission yesterday cancelled voting in Kira town council in Wakiso district after voters protested, alleging ballot stuffing.

By Andrew Sseyonga
and Henry Sekanjako


THE Electoral Commission yesterday cancelled voting in Kira town council in Wakiso district after voters protested, alleging ballot stuffing.

Voters also accused the commission of interchanging ballot papers at different polling stations.

EC commissioner Tom Buruku said after consultations with stakeholders, the commission decided that voting be cancelled and a new date be set for fresh elections.

“Our returning officer has told us that there was a mix-up in packing the materials and there have been complaints of ballot stuffing in many parts,” he said.

“A new date will be selected depending on the Electoral Commission’s convenience and the financial resources available,” he added.

Buruku said they would order for new ballot papers to ensure a free and fair process.

He said whatever happened in Kira was not planned for, noting that similar problems had occured in several parts of the country in the recently-concluded elections.

“Ballot mix-up in Kira was accidental, the way it was in Rubaga when voters received ballot papers bearing mixed up party symbols,” he noted.

Buruku promised that agents of the candidates would screen the new ballot papers.

Abudal Mugagga, a resident of Kireka, said ballot papers for Kireka Ward 3 were inter-changed with those of Kasokoso.

Ballot mix-up was experienced in almost 52 polling stations, according to the district returning officer, Margaret Kugonza.

“We did everything possible to transfer the ballot papers to the rightful polling centres, but we were inconvenienced by the angry voters accusing us of trying to rig for the incumbent, Mamerito Mugerwa,” she said.

Meanwhile, David Mugalya, a mayoral candidate, accused Mugerwa of planning to have elections in Kira cancelled.

“This was expected. Yesterday,
Mugerwa had a meeting to have these elections botched. He knew he did not have support and, instead, decided to disorganise the elections,” Mugalya said.

Mugerwa dismissed the allegations, saying there was no such meeting and votes pre-ticked in his favour.

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