EC suspends registrar ahead of Rukungiri by-election

The returning officer who was in charge of the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections in Rukungiri Mr Pius Ahimbisibwe has been suspended over alleged poor conduct of the polls.

The chairman Electoral Commission Justice Simon Byabakama told a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday that they could not take risk to have the same man who presided over an election that led to a petition challenging the result preside over an election involving the same people.
“The returning officer accepted in an affidavit that he announced partial results and yet the remaining votes were higher than those that had been counted which is a great offense. This is Hakuna Muchezo, we cannot allow the same man to run the process. We need to be seen to be acting transparently. He accepted his mess in court, he has been suspended,” Mr Byabakama said.
Mr Umar Kiyimba, the new returning officer was introduced during the meeting.

However, former Forum for Democratic Change contestant for the Rukungiri district chairperson seat, Mr Martin Byomuhangyi, said during the meeting that the suspension originated from the NRM meeting on April 17 where the district NRM chairperson General Jim Muhwezi swore not to have Mr Ahimbisibwe as the district registrar in the by election.

Justice Byabakama, however, denied being influenced by Gen Muhwezi to suspend Mr Ahimbisibwe. He said they will not take chances for fear of being seen as partisan. He cautioned candidates and agents against using lies and maligning language and avoid bribing voters.
“This election shall cost us Shs850 million yet you bribe someone with Shs50,000 and you cost us that spending, we will not tolerate that. That is dangerous; you must be patriotic and think twice,” Justice Byabakama said.
The Court of Appeal on March 22 cancelled the election of the Rukungiri woman MP over bribery. The by-election will be on May 31.