Betty Akoli Nam (Kole LC5 Chairperson) says the result was concocted and not matching what they have at hand, which gives her opportunity to stand as an independent candidate in the general elections.
Kampala—29, September 2020: Seventeen days ago, on Saturday 12, September 2020, Andrew Awany was declared a winner of the hotly contested Kole LC5 seat in the ‘unimpressive’ NRM primary elections.
This internal party election was conducted countrywide with some districts told to wait after massive electoral violence, claims of voters’ bribery and other malpractices.
In Kole, it was somewhat peaceful but was marred with electoral fraud, threats and declaration of a wrongful winner.
The hot race attracted six candidates, including incumbent, Hon. Betty Akoli Nam, Andrew Moses Awany (former Alebtong RDC), Moses Angor Ongom, Bobby Sam Ongom Olet, Bonny Ferdinand Okello Alele and Moses Oteng.
On Saturday morning, Kole district NRM electoral officer, Mr Joseph Ogwal Oyuku, declared Andrew Moses Awany as the winner and a NRM flag bearer for LC5 seat.
His declaration sparked social media campaign and outcry by a section of supporters of Bonny Okello, many of whom used Facebook to protest Awany’s declaration as a winner.
According to a declaration result form, Andrew Awany polled 30,438 votes followed by Bonny Okello Alele with 21,178 votes.
Others are Moses Angor Ongom who polled 7,292 votes, Akoli Betty Nam got 2,123; Moses Oteng 554 votes and Bobby Sam Ongom Olet garnered 309 votes.
There were 61,380 valid votes, according to Mr Oyuku.
These results, however, never convinced three losers, including Batty Akoli Nam, Moses Angor, the speaker of Kole district Council and Bonny Okello Alele (a winner as of Tuesday 29 September 2020).
They all rejected the election results and claimed that there were a lot of irregularities.
Betty Akoli Nam says the result was concocted and not matching what they have at hand, which gives her opportunity to stand as an independent candidate in the general elections.
Dr Tanga Odoi’s rescue
On Tuesday 29, September (today), the NRM Electoral Commission chairman, Dr Tanga Odoi, declared that Bonny Okello Alele was the rightful winner and should carry the party flag for Kole District LC5 in the general elections early next year.
Speaking to this publication Tuesday afternoon, Mr Alele, excited like never before, thanked God for the victory.
He told the publication that Dr Odoi and his Commission team, among many issues, found out that Mr Awany, who was the Deputy RDC, Kitgum district, resigned from his position for nomination on 5 August 2020, contrary to the Law.
He was mandated to resign 90 days in advance, Okello quoted Dr Odoi in the same interview.
Secondly, he was faulted for using threats on voters and other candidates, a poll practice Dr Odoi has been condemning.
Thirdly, the NRM EC says he was wrongfully declared a winner after massive irregularities were found in the Declaration of Results Forms.
Reporting by Frank Oyugi and Milton E. Akwam.
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