More than 80 post-election complaints rock Kamwenge as Electoral Commission refers candidates to court

What the report says

The Electoral Commission office in Kamwenge District says it has received more than 80 complaints after the recently concluded LC I chairperson elections, according to Nile Post. District Electoral Commission Registrar George William Magezi said the reports include formal petitions, verbal complaints and phone calls from across the district. He also said four disputes were settled on polling day through repeat voting where officials found the original process had been compromised.

Magezi said the commission cannot cancel results once they have been declared, and told dissatisfied candidates to seek redress in court. The article says aggrieved contenders are challenging results on grounds of alleged irregularities, including claims about vote counting and interference by local officials. One of the petitions cited is from Tinkasimire Luka, the NRM flag bearer for Rugando Village in Kahunge Sub-county.

In that dispute, Tinkasimire says he first won with 161 votes against independent candidate Narisension Safari’s 158, but the result was cancelled after alleged interference. He says a rerun ended in a 133-133 tie, after which Safari was declared winner. Residents quoted in the report called for another election, saying the process was unfair and that voters’ will should be respected.

The complaints reflect wider tension around the LC I polls in Kamwenge, where several villages have reported disputes over tallying, declarations and alleged official interference. The district commission has urged calm while affected candidates pursue legal remedies.