Following the electoral results of the women councillors III of the parishes in Gulu district, the electoral commission of Gulu District is to hold a residual election in two parishes. That follows failure by EC officials to properly determine the winners in the women’s councillors.
Candidates for the women’s councillor III of Lukome Parish had the same number of voters, while Angaya East and Angaya West parishes had their candidates’ names and photos interchanged, causing a technical failure in the tallying of the results.
According to Kimbowa Erasmus, the Returning Officer for Gulu District, they will get directions from the Headquarters in Kampala before they can hold another election for these special cases.
“Most likely, we shall hold a residual election. A residual election is normally an election immediately after a general election. We appoint a date, and we conduct an election without going into nominations, having rectified that mismatch. The right names will be put in the right place. That’s what we are going to do,” he explained.
He added that the candidates who got the same number of votes would have to go through the runoff elections, too.
A candidate for the women’s councillor of Lukome parish, Atoo Jennifer, contesting under the Democratic Party, said she should be allowed to go back to campaigns till the date of the elections so as to mobilise the voters once again if they can not check on the ballot papers and do recount, although her wish is to have a recount but not another election.
“My prayer was that they check the invalid ballot papers, but since they have not, I appeal that they should give me time to speak to my electorates again, because mobilizing them is not easy, especially when you don’t have financial capabilities. It is very hard work for me.” She explained.
Patrick Okello Onguti, the member of Parliament-elect for Aswa County, appealed to the Electoral Commission to ensure the candidates get justice in time.
“When that time comes, I beg you consider and look into it, so that as they go, their interests are met. Regardless of their party, they should get justice,” he said.
The Candidates for Lukome include Jennifer Atoo, a Democratic Party candidate, and Emily Akot, under NRM, with 142 votes each from two polling stations in the parish.
The dates for this residual election have not been confirmed yet, although Kimbowa pledged to update the candidates for this special poll once it is confirmed by the Headquarters.
****URN****