Friday, June 11, 2010

ODM CANDIDATE IN CAR CRASH

Orange Democratic Movement candidate Hassan Mwanyoha overcame the shock of a car crash to pick up his nominations papers from the Interim Independent Electoral Commission on Friday.

This was in readiness for the Matuga by-election in a month’s time.

Mr Mwanyoha was in his car together with four campaign team members when a truck carrying sand hit it at Vuga.

No one was injured, but the truck, out of control, hurtled on and overturned a short distance away.

Mr Mwanyoha reported the accident to the Kwale police after picking up the papers from the IIEC office in Kwale town.

He was one of the two candidates who collected their papers from the IIEC for clearance ahead of the July 12 poll.

The by-election was occasioned by the High Court’s nullification of the election of Transport minister Ali Chirau Mwakwere, who is also in the race representing PNU.

At the same time, speaking to the Saturday Nation at the IIEC offices, Mr Mwanyoha accused the IIEC of not informing him that he was required to pick up his papers on Friday, only learning of it from the media.

Mr Kassim Tandaza of the United Democratic Movement also picked up his.

However, Mr Mwakwere told the Saturday Nation he was in the village on a meet-the-people tour, and would pick up his on Friday (today). The candidates are to return the papers on June 17 and 18.

IIEC deputy returning officer Harun Iddi confirmed that only the three candidates had so far expressed interest in the seat.

Earlier, Mr Tandaza caused a stir when he arrived at the IIEC offices on a motorcycle and accompanied by a few of his supporters carrying his banners.

Some of the banners read: “Vote for Tandaza. We Want Change in Matuga.” But the candidate and his supporters were promptly told to fold them up “as campaigns are not yet allowed.”

Mr Tandaza argued, however, that he was not campaigning, but had just been accompanied by his supporters to the IIEC to pick up his papers.

Both he and Mr Mwanyoha claimed that there were plans to rig the election.

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