By KT Reporter
Independent candidate for Ayivu Division mayor, Jimmy Candia, popularly known as T.I.G, has rejected a declaration by the Electoral Commission that named National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer Malon Avutia unopposed, insisting that he has neither withdrawn from the race nor consented to the move.
The Arua City Electoral Commission Returning Officer, Osman Ezale, on Friday declared Avutia unopposed, citing what he described as Candia’s expression of interest to withdraw from the contest.
The declaration was made at around 5:00 pm inside the boardroom of the Electoral Commission’s regional office in Arua City, in the presence of NRM party officials who had accompanied their party flag bearer.
Ezale explained that in a situation where only two candidates are nominated for a position, the withdrawal of one automatically leaves the other candidate unopposed, warranting a formal declaration by the Commission.
Incumbent mayor Malon Avutia and his challenger, Jimmy Candia, were the only two candidates duly nominated by the returning officer to contest for the position of Ayivu Division mayor during the nomination exercise for local government positions.
Reacting to the declaration, Malon described it as an opportunity to continue serving as division mayor after more than one year of illness that interrupted his leadership duties.
The declaration was welcomed by the Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Arua City, Zoe Bakoko Bakoru, who described it as a sign of unity between the two candidates.
However, Jimmy Candia dismissed claims that he had withdrawn from the race, describing the declaration as a deliberate move intended to force him out of the contest.
Candia insisted that he remains in the race despite the Electoral Commission’s announcement and said he plans to file a formal complaint with the returning officer challenging the decision.
Speaking to the media after the declaration, NRM party officials and their candidate dismissed allegations that Candia had been bribed to withdraw from the race, describing the claims as unfounded.Local government elections, including mayoral races, are scheduled to take place on January 22nd, 2026.
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