Jinja: Youth leaders from the National Unity Platform (NUP) in the Eastern Region, specifically from Jinja District, have petitioned the Electoral Commission (EC) office in Jinja, expressing concerns over the recently concluded youth elections.
The NUP youth leaders, led by Mariam Natabi, the NUP’s Youth Affairs Chief in Eastern Region, claim that the elections were marred by irregularities, including voter bribery, alteration of voter registers, and ballot stuffing. Natabi stated that these irregularities led to the disenfranchisement of legitimate voters.
“We demand a redo of the elections and a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities,” said Natabi while addressing journalists on Friday at the EC regional offices in Jinja City.
The group delivered a petition to the EC office in Jinja, highlighting their grievances and demanding a redo of the elections. They claim that the EC’s failure to address these issues would undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process.
“If the electoral commission fails to address these issues, it would definitely mean that the body is not independent and it would undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process,” she added.
Natabi urged NUP supporters to remain calm and peaceful despite the alleged electoral malpractices. She emphasized the importance of non-violent resistance and called on the EC to take decisive action to address the concerns raised.
She stated, “We urge our supporters to remain calm and peaceful, but we will not back down in our pursuit of electoral justice.”
Other NUP leaders, including Mutebi Muhammed, Chairman of NUP Jinja City, and Julius Nabambula, also expressed their dissatisfaction with the electoral process and demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities.
The NUP youth leaders vowed to continue pushing for electoral reforms and to hold the EC accountable for ensuring free and fair elections.
Busoga Today’s efforts to get any comments from EC officials were futile as numbers of the regional officers couldn’t be received.
Earlier on Tuesday, during a Regional Joint Operations Center meeting at Jinja City Hall, Deo Natukunda, the Regional Returning Officer, Busoga Sub-region emphasized that the election would be fairly conducted.
In Jinja City, the exercise saw the National Resistance Movement (NRM) emerge victorious, but the process was marred by allegations of irregularities, according to NUP candidates.
Tensions escalated at Main Street Primary School in the city center, where police used teargas to disperse chaotic voters. Unfortunately, pupils in nearby classrooms were affected, sparking widespread concern about the impact on innocent children.
