Candidates curse government for stopping LC1 Elections





Following the suspension of elections for Administrative Units (LC I and II) and Women Councils and Committees by the Electoral Commission yesterday, some candidates vying for positions in Bugisu have expressed disappointment.
The suspension followed two court orders blocking Women Council elections which was slated for today and the follow up Local Council I vote slated for next week.
The two court orders followed applications by concerned citizens challenging the elections in the absence of Advanced Secondary School students who are currently sitting their examinations until December 8.
Paulo Gidudu the Forum for Democratic Change candidate for Bunambozo village, Busamaga parish in Buwalasi Sub County, Sironko District says suspension of the elections means more financial resources must be spent to continue canvassing for votes.
Gidudu also says that many Ugandans were eager to vote and the suspension may have an effect on voter turn out.
Godfrey Walela (FDC) and Lule Muchala (NRM) who are vying for the St Andrews Cell chairperson’s seat in Industrial Division, Mbale Municipality have urged their voters to remain calm and wait for new date that will be fixed by the electoral body.

Tabliki Wamakuyu a resident of Nabweya cell, Busamanga ward in Mbale Municipality says many Ugandans were ready to vote in a new set of leaders. 
meanwhile Court blocked Women Council elections that are due on Tuesday and the follow up Local Council I vote slated for next week.

The Monday court order followed an application by concerned citizen, Mr James Tweheyo challenging the elections in the absence of Advanced Secondary School students who are currently sitting their examinations until December 8.

Mr Tweheyo, through his lawyers led by Mr Caleb Mwesigwa filed the application arguing that the impugned elections, if held would disenfranchise the Constitutional rights of students who are eligible to particiapate either as voters or as candidates but they were unable to register.

The Electoral Commission (EC) had set November 14 for the election of women village committees and November 21 for the election of Local Council I Committees.

However, High Court Registrar, Ms Sarah Langa on Monday issued an interim order restraining EC and the Attorney General from organizing and or conducting the village council elections.

“Interim order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from organizing and or conducting village council I and II and women elections pending hearing of the main cause fixed for November 15 this year,” Ms Langa ruled.

The express order followed an earlier one issued by a similar court in Jinja in a case of a student, Allan Alibwani against EC challenging the same exercise.

Mr Mwesigwa told Court that there is irreparable injury on part of the students estimated to number about 131,000 and aged 18 to 23 years, whose constitutional right, if violated cannot be compensated by any amount.

By: Weswa Ronnie

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