Member of County Assembly (MCA) aspirant Nathaniel Shibira has cried foul over the Amani National Congress (ANC) nominations that were held recently. The aspirant wanted to oust the incumbent Richard Muhiga who is currently the deputy speaker of the assembly and MCA of Shamakhokho ward.
Shibira said the ANC Saturday nominations was marred by fraudulent counting of votes to ensure the current MCA won the primary. “The polling clerks and presiding officers sided with my opponent and therefore the exercise was shambolic and not free and fair as we anticipated,” said a visibly angry Shibira.
Shibira claimed that one of the presiding officers Kingsley Kane was found with marked ballot papers in favour of his opponent bearing serial numbers of 002170-002200 that were used to rig him out of the primaries.
He added that Shamakhokho and Lusui polling stations were most affected and pleaded with the party leader Musalia Mudavadi to intervene. “I have petitioned the National Election Board to intervene and cancel the manipulated results that do not show the will of the people. I have the evidence of the ballot papers that were used to rig me out,” said Shibira.
The aspirant said he wants to win or lose fairly and asked the electorate to remain calm as the matter is being sorted out today when the board meets to approve the exercise.
However, Vihiga branch Chairman Julius Ochiel downplayed the issue and said that election board oversaw the exercise and the party did not favour anyone. “National Elections board conducted the election in a free and fair manner. We did not participate in the exercise,” said Ochiel.
He added that all Sub County branch elected officials will file a report about the nominations that was conducted in their area of jurisdiction to give a clear picture of the exercise. He said the reports by all the Sub County chairmen will then be forwarded to the National election board for preview. “The internal dispute resolution board will rely on the reports and credible evidence to give direction and make a decision about the matter,” said Ochiel. He was speaking to the press in Mbale town, Vihiga Sub County.