KAABONG – The people of Kaabong district in Karamoja sub-region are already in the queue to cast their votes to elect the district woman representative.
According to Electoral Commission, they are 40,128 registered voters in 130 polling stations in the entire district. By around 4 am on Thursday electoral commission dispatched the ballot papers to 130 polling stations in the district.
Ms Christine Nakwang Tubo, the NRM candidate by 8 am arrived at Kaabong police primary school to cast her vote.
After voting, Ms Nakwang addressed the media saying if she’s given mandate she will lobby from the government for better services for the people of Kaabong.
Mr. Paul Bukenya, the deputy communication officer in the electoral commission said the exercise started peacefully and all the election materials reached to the polling stations in time.
The seat fell vacant after Ms. Lily Akello who was representing the district crossed to represent the newly created Karenga district which started its operation on the 1st of July 2019.
Only two candidates were nominated for the seat; Ms. Adyaka Judith Nalibe for FDC ticket and Ms. Christine Tubo Nakwang for NRM ticket.
However, Ms. Adyaka wrote the letter to the electoral commission withdrawing from the pull just two weeks for the date of the elections citing lack of financial support from her party. But the FDC wrote to the electoral commission rejecting the withdraw of Ms. Adyaka and warned legal action should the commission honour the withdrew of their candidate without party’s consent.
The FDC went ahead and claimed that the NRM bribed Ms. Adyaka shs1.2 billion to pull out of the race, allegations that NRM dismissed.
Following the FDC letter to the EC signed by FDC Secretary-General Mr. Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the commission also wrote back to Ms Adyaka rejecting her request. This prompted her to threaten legal action should the commission put her picture on the ballot paper.
Mr. Julius Ongom, the district returning officer Kaabong confirmed that the photo and full names of Ms. Adyaka Judith Nalibe is in the ballot papers.
“We are very ready and the names of Ms Adyaka as FDC candidate and Ms Christine Tubo for NRM ticket are in the ballot papers for Tomorrow’s elections,” he said.
Mr. Ogwang added that the electoral commission could not honour the withdrew of Ms Adyaka from the race since her FDC party didn’t not support.
Meanwhile, there is a moderate deployment of police and army who are patrolling the streets of Kaabong Town.
