Nebbi LC5 by-election kicks off with low voter turnout
The FDC party Candidate, Mr Vicy Onyai getting the ballot paper to cast his vote at Progressive Secondary School Polling Station. PHOTO BY IBRAHIM ADUBANGO.
What you need to know:
- Most of the polling stations in urban areas opened as early as 7am but those in rural areas like Erussi, Parombo, Akworo and deep in Kucwiny received materials a bit late.
On a cloudy Thursday morning, few voters were seen sauntering in one after the other to choose the LC5 Chairman for Nebbi District.
The seat which fell vacant in September last year following the death of Ezrom William Alenyo, has attracted three candidates namely; Mr George Othuba (Independent), Mr Emmanuel Urombi (NRM) and Mr Vicky Onyai (FDC).
Some of the polling stations like Namthin, Omyer primary schools were virtually empty and polling assistants kept on waiting for the people to vote.
But at Boma 1, Boma II and Progressive Progressive Secondary School polling stations in Nebbi Municipality, the number of voters that turnout was fair.
Some of the electorates have been in their gardens by our reporters, but local leaders said they expected the voter turnout to improve by lunch time. The voting closes at 4pm. The voting pattern has in most cases been decided in the rural areas where voter turnout is usually high, according to the past elections’ analysis, in the area.
Most of the polling stations in urban areas opened as early as 7am but those in rural areas like Erussi, Parombo, Akworo and deep in Kucwiny received materials a bit late.
Low voter turnout at Nebbi Progressive secondary school polling station. PHOTO BY FELIX WAROM OKELLO.
The Election Commission dispersed the ballot box team at 4.30am from Nebbi town.
At Nebbi Classic Nursery primary, Nduru, Kasuku, Nyacara Primary polling stations, few people had also turned-out by press time.
One of the voters at Nyacara primary school polling station, Mr Collins Ukwong said: “I thought I would find many people at the polling station, but it took me a few minutes to vote. Now I can go and do my other business.”
Another voter Boma II polling station, Ms Charity Alworonga, said: “It is my right to vote for my candidate and for the love of the country, so, I had to make sure that I vote in this election because we need a leader.”
On Wednesday evening, the district returning officer, Mr Michael Arinaitwe, urged voters and candidates to remain calm during today’s election.
One of the candidates, Mr Othuba urged his supporters to make sure that the elections are not rigged.
Meanwhile, there is tight security as authorities have got police reinforcement from the neighbouring West Nile districts to make sure everything goes on as planned.
NUMBERS
• 121,856, registered voters
• 223, polling stations
• 636, villages
• 16, sub-counties
Reported by Felix Warom Okello, Patrick Okaba and Ibrahim Adubango
