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Ten arrested over campaign violence
2005-09-24 08:29:02
By Anceth Nyahore, PST, Shinyanga
Police in Shinyanga Region have arrested 10 supporters of five political parties in connection with the violence that marred election campaigns in three districts in the region early this week.
Violence rocked Bariadi, Maswa and Meatu districts as supporters of various parties clashed.
District commissioners in the three administrative units told PST yesterday that the violence left scores of people injured and several vehicles damaged, some extensively.
CCM, UDP, CUF, Chadema and TLP supporters have clashed at various election rallies and have precipitated fears that potential voters may not turn out to cast their votes, fearing violence on polling day.
Bariadi District Commissioner Cleophas Rugarabamu said among those arrested were two members of CCM and UDP.
He said the chaos that erupted in Bariadi last weekend involved CCM and UDP supporters who jeered and pelted each other with stones.
Maswa District Commissioner Joika Kasunga said police were holding two CUF supporters in connection with the chaos. He added that a vehicle belonging to CCM was damaged during the violence.
In Meatu District, police were holding six people in connection with election violence.
Meatu District Commissioner Miraj Pazi said those arrested were Chadema, UDP, CCM, TLP and CUF supporters.
The suspects have been accused of inciting people to violence during election campaign rallies in Meatu and Kisesa constituencies.
Meanwhile, a CCM leader in Shinyanga Region has directed the party’s candidates to conduct election campaigns in accordance with the law.
Regional party secretary John Barongo gave the directive after chaos erupted in the three districts.
He told PST yesterday that CCM leaders should be at the forefront in observing the law and setting a good example for the rest.
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