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[TD="class: kaziBody"]From MEDDY MULISA in Bukoba, 4th February 2011 @ 11:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 1942
THE former Member of Parliament (MP) for Biharamulo West Constituency on the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) ticket, Mr Oscar Rwegasira Mukasa, has filed a petition at the Bukoba High Court, seeking nullification of the results.
In his petition (Misc No 5/2010) Mr Mukasa has cited irregularities which allegedly marred the election making it not free and fair. He wants the high court to nullify the results and order a by-election.
During the October 2010 parliamentary elections, a Chadema candidate, Mr Anthony Gervase Mbasa, scooped 20,828 votes defeating Mr Mukasa who got 19,843 votes, with a difference of 985 votes. It was a closely contested poll.
Mr Mukasa was elected Biharamulo West Legislator during a by-election held following the death of a former MP, the late Phares Kashemeza Kabuye (TLP).
Mr Mukasa, through his Advocate Aaron Kabunga, has alleged that for unknown reasons some of the presiding officers at several polling stations tampered with the votes and announced quite different results.
He cited Kaniha Primary School 2 Polling Station where 124 people voted but the presiding officer declared 117 votes.
Similar irregularities were cited at Ofisi ya Kijiji Kagoma Polling Station where a total of 1,143 people cast their votes but the presiding officer declared 1,135 votes.
The aggrieved Mukasa also alleged that non-citizens were allowed to vote. He claimed that Burundians voted in favour of Mr Mbasa in Nyabusozi Ward.
He further complained that underage children were allowed to vote at Runazi Secondary School and Ruziba/Rugondo polling stations.
According to Mr Mukasa, the first respondent (Mbasa) or his agents, indulged in corrupt practices by dishing out money and a local brew (rubisi) to potential voters on polling day and that the irregularities were prevalent at Kalenge, Biharamulo and Nyabusozi Wards.
The Bukoba High Court Registrar, Mr Emilius Mchauru, confirmed to the 'Daily News on Saturday' that the election petition will come for mention on Monday. Mr Mbasa is the first respondent while the Attorney General (AG) is second respondent.
Meanwhile, Judge Gadi Mjemmas of Bukoba High Court has urged residents in the country to participate in the construction of primary court buildings, with the aim of curbing accumulation of pending cases.
He noted that most of the primary court buildings in the country were in pathetic condition. There is a need for people to give a helping hand, he said. "My appeal to all Tanzanians is to assist in construction of primary court buildings.
"People should emulate the same spirit shown in the construction of primary schools and dispensaries," he said.[/TD]
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