Three aspirants for the position of chairperson of NRM’s Entrepreneurs’ League have threatened to withdraw from the race, citing allegations of electoral malpractice by one of the contestants, businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba.
Ceasor Augustus Mulenga, Philip Kakuru, and Sanjay Tanna, alleged that Basajjabalaba had recruited more than 2,000 non-delegates to vote for him, questioning their legitimacy.
Mulenga alleged that Basajjabalaba had hidden legitimate delegates in Nairobi, Kenya, for two weeks to prevent other candidates from accessing them.
They called for a level playing field, urging the NRM Electoral Commission and the party leadership to ensure fairness.
“We need a levelled ground. The NRM Electoral Commission and the entire party must ensure fairness, and elections should not proceed until the rightful delegates are given the opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choice,” Mulenga told journalists at Kololo Indepedence Grounds where delegates have congregated for the party’s delegates conference.
The elections for the position were postponed yesterday after the trio raised grievances. We have been told that party chairman, Yoweri Museveni, intervened. It is not yet clear when the elections will be held.
Dr. Tanga Odoi, the chairperson of NRM’s electoral commission has repeatedly warned candidates against voter bribery and tactics such as hiding delegates to restrict access by opponents.
