Today is polling day for the by-election of the Woman Representative to Parliament for Dokolo District.
Voting is taking place at all the one hundred and seventy-three (173) polling stations in the district which started at 7am, and it’s ending at 4pm.
A total number of ninety-five thousand six hundred and eighty-three (95,683) voters are registered for this by-election. Six candidates are contesting for the seat which fell vacant following the death of former MP, Hon. Cecilia Atim Ogwal on 18th January 2024.
The candidates are: Adongo Janet Rose Elau Okello (National Resistance Movement, NRM); Ageno Harriet (National Unity Platform, NUP); Aguti Sarah (Uganda Peoples’ Congress, UPC); Akullo Esther Obot (Independent); Alwoc Austin Ogwal Rosemary (Forum for Democratic Change, FDC) and Arao Rebecca (Independent).
The distribution of electoral materials commenced successfully at the Dokolo District Council Hall by the Independent Electoral Commission.
The process began at 4:00 AM at the district council hall, with the regional election administrator personally supervising the exercise alongside other members of the commission
All 14 sub-counties are currently receiving materials delivered by various electoral administrators. Election observers, police, and the media, among others, witnessed the dispatching of the ballot boxes.
Justice Simon Byabakama, the EC Chairperson tasked the Police to ensure that numberless vehicles are not seen anywhere during polls in Dokolo as it has been the case in other by- elections.
“Numberless vehicles appearing in an electoral area indicates sinister motives. We want this election to be conducted in an environment that all stakeholders will appreciate,” Justice Byabakama said.