By KT Reporter
Losers of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries in Katakwi District have raised concerns over alleged anomalies in the elections, citing voter manipulation, bribery, and intimidation. A section of LCIII chairperson candidates denounced the elections as not free and fair, claiming that some district leaders supported candidates in their respective camps.
Stephen Odeke, LCIII candidate for Katakwi Town Council, alleged that politicians promoted vote bribery, exchanging money to favor certain camps. Stephen Imamut, LCIII candidate for Akoboi Subcounty, claimed that polling agents were bribed to allow ballots to be altered.
Daniel Otim, LCIII candidate for Katakwi Town Council, who lost to Sadoki Akutu, accused party registrars of changing ballots to favor individuals with financial influence. Simon Peter Okedi, LCIII candidate for Okore Subcounty, said he lost after results were allegedly manipulated in favor of Ikabat Charles. The official Okore Subcounty results indicated that Ikabat Charles received 2,225 votes, or 61.2 percent; Simon Okedi received 1,362 votes, or 37.4 percent, and Ben Malinga received 50 votes, or 1.4 percent.
In Katakwi Subcounty, Hendry Moses Omaje wrote an objection letter to the returning officer regarding the NRM party primaries. James Otilem also objected to the declaration of the LCIII flag bearer election winner, citing vote-count anomalies. Elvis Ojula, LCIII candidate for Katakwi Subcounty, requested a voter recount and disputed the winner’s declaration. Nevertheless, Hendry Moses Omaje was eventually declared the winner with 3,048 votes, narrowly beating Elvis Ojula, who received 3,022 votes.
Vox pop LCIII Ateso/Eng
Meanwhile, some LCIII NRM flag bearers declared winners have pledged to focus on effective service delivery, emphasizing improvements in social services such as education, roads, and the creation of new administrative units.
In other areas, Harmans Ebele was declared the winner after pulling 641 votes, representing 66.1 percent, beating George William Ojakal, who got 329 votes, representing 33.9 percent. In Toroma Town Council, Winfred Akol Otwao was declared the winner after getting 412 votes, beating Charles Okudi, who got 275 votes, Sameul Malinga, who got 205 votes, and Edward Ogwama, who got 132 votes.
In Usuk Subcounty, Nathan Malinga was declared the winner after getting 1,100 votes, representing 41 percent, beating his rivals Odongo Godfrey, 120 votes or 0.5 percent, Odongo Paul, 970 votes or 36.1 percent, and Silver Ibuka, 494 votes or 18.4 percent. In Ongodingod, Simon Peter Omacar Alongu was declared flag bearer after getting 1,750 votes, representing 53.4 percent, beating Albert Emukok, who got 1,552 votes, representing 46.6 percent.
In Magoro Subcounty, Francis Aruo was declared LCIII NRM flag bearer after getting 6,519 votes, representing 66.1 percent, beating his rival John Robert Obukulem, who got 3,336 votes, a percentage of 33.9. The disputed results have highlighted the need for stricter electoral oversight within NRM primaries in Katakwi District.
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