BY NEWS 24/7 TEAM
National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Mary Akol has been declared the winner of the Bukedea District chairperson byelection as the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) called for a late pull out of the race.
The Electoral Commission returning officer for Bukedea district Joel Mugenyi Mugerwa declared Akol winner for the seat that fell vacant In December 2022 after the passing on of the incumbent.
Akol polled 79,692 votes, Tychicus Ebukalin (independent) 4,941 votes, Sam Oita Odeke (Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)) 2,343 votes.
Akol’s victory makes her the second female LC5 chairperson in the history of the Teso region.
Akol now becomes the fourth LC5 since the creation of Bukedea in 2006.
In a shocking turn of events, in a last minute move FDC, announced withdrawal from the race citing rampant electoral fraud and a lack of transparency.
Patrick Oboi Amuriat, the FDC President, said, “We condemn in the strongest term possible the involvement of the police and military in these malpractices. We shall not tolerate the intimidation, torture, and imprisonment of members of the media who were covering the election.”
In response, the EC said, “Concerning the withdrawal of their not received any notice of withdrawal of candidature in the ongoing by-election for District Chairperson, Bukedea District.”
The procedure for withdrawal of candidature included among others, section 172(1) of The Local Government Act provides that, “A candidate may withdraw his or her candidature _at any time before polling day by a written notice addressed to the Returning Officer and signed by the candidate,”
Section 19(2a) of the Parliamentary Elections Act provides that, “Where a candidate is sponsored by a political party or organisation, the notification shall be signed and filed by the Secretary General of the Political Party_ or Organisation or any other person authorised by the political party or organisation.”
During the elections, journalists reported cases of assault against them by the police when they took pictures of people practicing ballot stuffing.
Mr Simon Emwamu said that his gadgets were confiscated after he was beaten for taking pictures of men who were ticking ballots from off the premises of the polling station.
