Busia LC5 by-election: EC declares Independent candidate unopposed
Mr Umar Kiyimba the district returning officer on November 26, 2018 declared Mr Geoffrey Wandera (L) unopposed after his two opponents withdrew from the race.
Busia: The Electoral Commission (EC) has declared one of the Independent candidates in the Busia LC5 by- election unopposed after his two rivals withdrew from the race.
Mr Umar Kiyimba, the district returning officer on Monday declared Mr Geoffrey Wandera unopposed after his two opponents, Mr Chripus Bwire and Mr Tony Ojambo stepped down.
“I hereby declare Mr Geoffrey Wandera as the elected district chairperson of Busia District,” Mr Kiyimba, said.
Mr Kiyimba said the Parliamentary Election Act mandates the commission to declare a candidate winner in case his or her opponents withdraw from the race.
He, however, added that election for other positions in the newly created town councils and sub counties will go on as scheduled.
The election to fill the seat, which fell vacant in May, 2018 after Court of Appeal in Mbale District threw out Mr Ouma Adea on grounds that he had been convicted of corruption in 2013, had been scheduled to take place on November 28, 2018.
This comes on the heels of cancellation of nomination of the main contenders, the opposition joint candidate, Mr Deo Hasubi Njoki and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party candidate, Paul Boniface Oguttu by the EC.
When declared winner, Mr Wandera, an Independent but NRM leaning candidate, said his priority will be to improve service delivery in health and education sectors.
“My leadership will be creating a district that works for everyone in all sectors with discrimination most especially in health and education,” he said.
Mr Wandera said unending by-elections and court battles have dragged the district behind in terms of development.
Background
Mr Geoffrey Wandera was born in 1972.He is a resident of Western division in Busia town.
He has worked as a district councilor for PWDS, chairperson of finance and planning committee, chairperson Lake Victoria management committee and district council speaker.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Masters degree in public administration.
