At least four candidates have been nominated to participate in the upcoming by-election for the Member of Parliament for Oyam County North in Oyam District, as confirmed by Paul Bukenya, the spokesperson of the Electoral Commission.
KAMPALA, UGANDA | NOW THEN DIGITAL — At least four candidates have been nominated to compete in the upcoming by-election for the Member of Parliament for Oyam County North in Oyam District.
The nominations took place during a two-day exercise starting on Monday and concluding on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, as confirmed by Paul Bukenya, the spokesperson of the Electoral Commission.
Candidates Cleared for Contest
The four candidates who were successfully nominated are as follows:
- Apio Otuko Eunice of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC)
- Okello Freddy Newton of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)
- Okello Daniel of the National Unity Platform (NUP)
- Samuel Engola Okello of the National Resistance Movement (NRM)
Samuel Engola Okello, a son of the former MP Col. (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola, who was tragically murdered on May 2, 2023, also secured a nomination.
Campaign Period and Election Dates
The spokesperson of the Electoral Commission, Paul Bukenya, stated that the campaign period will commence on Thursday, June 22, and conclude on July 4, 2023.
The voting for the by-election is scheduled to take place on July 6, 2023, as per the Electoral Commission.
Nomination Exercise Conducted Peacefully
Richard Onoba Olar, the returning officer for Oyam District, presided over the nomination exercise. He confirmed that out of the nine individuals who had shown interest in contesting for the seat, four successfully completed the nomination process.
Olar emphasized that all candidates complied with the necessary provisions, ensuring a peaceful exercise.
Next Steps
Olar declared the nomination exercise closed and announced that the harmonization of the nominated candidates will take place the following day at 10:00 am. This step marks progress towards the by-election and allows the candidates to move forward with their campaigns.
“As you are all aware that the Parliamentary Act empowers election commission to appoint days for nomination purposes and in the case of Oyam County North, the commission appointed June 19 and 20 as dates for nomination of candidates for (exercise),” Olar said.
“As a returning officer, I declare the nomination exercise closed with the above four candidates nominated and the harmonisation of their will take place tomorrow(today) at 10:00am,” he added.
Vacant Seat Due to Tragic Incident
The Oyam County North Parliamentary seat became vacant after the untimely death of the former MP, Col. (Ret.) Charles Okello Engola, who was fatally shot by his bodyguard on May 2, 2023.
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