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UGANDA: US WANTS ELECTION FRAUD INVESTIGATED February 28, 2006
Apunyu Bonny
(SomaliNet) The United States government(US), has called for a transparent investigation of the opposition charges of fraud in Thursday's general election that saw President Yoweri Museveni retain his seat enabling him rule for the next five years. The Monitor reported Monday.
Mr.Museveni beat his closest challenger, Dr. Besigye by 59 percent to 37 percent of the total votes cast.
The US State Department Deputy Spokesperson, Mr. Adam Ereli, made this call last week soon after partial returns from the polling stations started coming in.
"There have been reports of administrative and procedural irregularities by observers, as well as other claims of irregularities by the opposition. Those claims need to be investigated," Ereli said.
Mr. Adam Ereli told the press in Washington that the United States had earlier expressed concern and disappointment about incidents of violence that marred the campaign period. The US official also recounted that the State Department had condemned the treason and other criminal charges lodged against the opposition candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye of the FDC and 20 others.