The returning officer for Bukedea District, Mugyenyi Joel Mugerwa, officially declared Akol as the winner, having obtained an impressive 79,692 votes.
KAMPALA, UGANDA | NOW THEN DIGITAL — Mary Akol, the candidate from the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has emerged as the winner of the Bukedea District LC5 chairperson by-election, replacing the late Moses Olemukan.
The announcement was made by the returning officer, Mugyenyi Joel Mugerwa.
Akol’s Victory
Mary Akol secured a resounding victory with a total of 79,692 votes, leaving her closest rival, Lokwiisk Tychicus Ebukalin, an independent candidate, far behind with 4,941 votes.
Sam Oita Odeke of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) came third with 2,343 votes.
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The Returning Officer, Bukedea District, Mugyenyi Joel Mugerwa has declared Akol Mary who has obtained the largest number of votes, winner of the Bukedea District Chairperson by-election.#BukedeaByElection @PaulBukenya pic.twitter.com/fwew4FigcN
— Electoral Commission- Uganda (@UgandaEC) June 14, 2023
Allegations of Malpractices
Despite Akol’s win, the election was marred by allegations of malpractices. The FDC, in a statement on Wednesday, announced its withdrawal from the race due to ballot stuffing and intimidation of its polling agents.
FDC President’s Allegations
Patrick Amuriat, the president of FDC, alleged that the majority of the ballots had been pre-ticked, and the ballot boxes were already filled in most polling stations. He further claimed that these malpractices continued in all the remaining polling stations, with the involvement of the police and army.
FDC Withdrawal
Amid the allegations, FDC officially declared their withdrawal from the by-election. Amuriat stated that they would not lend credibility or legitimacy to a process tainted by fraudulent practices.
The party instructed all its polling agents, supervisors, and foot soldiers to withdraw immediately.
FDC PRESS RELEASE.
Date: 14th June, 2023,
Fellow Citizens,
BUKEDEA BY-ELECTION: DEMOCRATIC FRAUD AND WITHDRAWAL FROM SHAM "ELECTION".
The events that are taking place on this 14th June, voting day in Bukedea district LC5 by-election have left us deeply troubled. We… pic.twitter.com/3fR37tweNG
— FDC (@FDCOfficial1) June 14, 2023
Electoral Commission’s Response
However, in response to FDC’s statement, the Electoral Commission stated that it had not received any official notice of the withdrawal of candidature in the by-election.
Conclusion
Mary Akol’s victory in the Bukedea District LC5 chairperson by-election is marked by allegations of malpractices raised by the FDC. While FDC officially withdrew from the race, the Electoral Commission has not confirmed the receipt of the withdrawal notice.
The outcome of the election raises concerns about the integrity of the electoral process in Bukedea District.
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