By KT Reporter
Three opposition candidates who defected to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and later withdrew their candidatures still appeared on the ballot papers and managed to collect votes.
They are Irene Number One and Peter Mpaka of the National Unity Platform (NUP), and Evath Abenaitwe Kafureeka of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
The trio joined the NRM during President Museveni’s rally in Mbarara City in early December, pledging to campaign for the party’s flag bearers.
Peter Mpaka, who was contesting against incumbent Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari for Mbarara City North Division, received 481 votes. He lost to Christopher Bakashaba of the NRM, who collected 5,478 votes, while Rukaari, running as an independent, garnered 4,802 votes.
Irene Number One, who had been nominated for the Mbarara City Woman Member of Parliament seat, came third with 2,956 votes in a race of five candidates despite withdrawing her candidature and actively campaigning for the NRM flag bearer, Charity Kibaaju Kamuhanda, who emerged victorious.
Kibaaju collected 23,413 votes to defeat Ritah Atukwase Bwahika, who came second with 22,526 votes.Evath Abenaitwe Kafureeka of FDC, also a defector, collected 396 votes, finishing fifth. Speaking to URN, Peter Mpaka accused NUP of refusing to acknowledge their defection despite him formally notifying both the Electoral Commission and the party of his withdrawal after joining NRM.
He said he honored his commitment, campaigning for the NRM flag bearer, serving as a polling agent for Bakashaba, and even voting for him.
Mpaka expressed optimism for the future after learning that he still managed to collect 481 votes.Evath Abenaitwe Kafureeka said the Electoral Commission informed them that their names had already been printed on the ballot papers and advised them to instruct supporters not to vote for them.
Paul Bukenya, Electoral Commission deputy spokesperson, explained that neither the candidates nor their parties had followed the proper electoral procedure for withdrawing a candidate and ensuring removal from the ballot paper.
He noted that Section 36(3) of the Parliamentary Elections Act Cap 177 requires any notification of withdrawal of a party-sponsored candidate to be signed and submitted by the party’s Secretary-General.
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