The police has warned presidential candidates who intend to organise parallel tally stations to desist from the move.
“All those planning to set up parallel tally centres should note that the official centre is the Electoral Commission,” Police Spokesperson Mr Fred Enanga said today at the press briefing.
Without elaborating the punitive action to be taken against those who will indulge in the exercise, Mr Enanga, said the duty of tallying results was the prerogative of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Meanwhile, the police have warned Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye for campaigning beyond the stipulated time, in contravention of the electoral guidelines.
This follows two separate incidents last week on Friday 29th, when police in Kiruhura and Ibanda fired tear gas to disperse Besigye’s supporters in Higorora Sub County in Ibanda district at 8.25pm, contrary to the 6pm hour mark set by the Electoral Commission as the peak for holding rallies in a day.
Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Asan Kasingye, the interagency communications task team chairperson at police headquarters, told the media today that Dr Besigye was advised by the area police not to address the crowd waiting for him at that time, but he declined, forcing the area Deputy Regional Police Commander (RPC) to switch off the public address system.
“We strongly condemn such acts of defiance that prompted the police to disperse the crowd that had blocked traffic at the key junction, using its dispersal powers,” Mr Kasingye told journalists during a weekly press conference at the police headquarters in Naguru.
According to Kasingye, the police respect the democratic rights of all candidates and supporters in expressing their civil rights and responsibilities but urged the public to shun acts intended to disrupt public peace.
Kasingye said that legal action shall be taken against those who don’t adhere with the EC guidelines.
‘’We can take them to court for violating the electoral guidelines; we have informed our officers to start taking video evidence using their phones, once you break the law, you are supposed to be charged,” Kasingye said.
However FDC spokesperson said that with such remarks, police is confirming ‘what the public knows that it is partisan.’
“If the electoral law is breached, it is not the police to call for action; it is the Electoral Commission. For police to get involved in politics shows that they are an arm of the NRM,” Mr Semujju said, adding: “In any case, police is never a complainant especially in matters of elections.”
According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) guidelines, a presidential candidate is not supposed to campaign beyond 6pm in any area.
