The Electoral Commission has suspended voting for directly elected councilors in Akalo Sub-County, Kole District Local Government. The suspension follows a discrepancy on the ballot papers involving Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) candidate James Odyek and National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Patrick Obong.
Their pictures and party symbols were mistakenly swapped: Odyek’s picture appeared against Obong’s name, while Obong’s picture appeared against Odyek’s name. The other independent candidates, Alfonse Araca and Peter Enon, were not affected. Election officers were promptly notified of the error. Jackson Higenyi Pabire, the Regional Election Officer, announced the suspension of the voting process.
This is the first incident recorded as the country goes to the polls to elect city and municipal mayors, district chairpersons, and councilors. Babirye explained that, unlike in the presidential and parliamentary elections, where voting in Lira City was extended by an hour, today there is no possibility of extending voting.
Upon noticing the error, Odyek alerted electoral officials and his party’s Secretary General, who advised him to file a formal complaint with the District Election Office.
Odyek expressed disappointment over the suspension, saying he had invested significant resources in today’s election.
****URN*****