The Electoral Commission has declared itself ready to conduct the Adjumani West parliamentary by-election on Thursday, September 17, with all voting materials received and arrangements in place for their distribution to the 114 polling stations.
Adjumani District Returning Officer Christine Akao Eunice said the commission had received all materials required for the election and was finalising arrangements to transport them to polling stations across the constituency.
She said distribution would be completed in time for polling to begin at 7am, as required by law.
‘We have received every material needed for voting tomorrow. Arrangements have been made to ensure that the materials are transported to all the 114 polling stations to allow voting to start at 7am,’ Ms Akao said.
She added that biometric voter verification machines would be used to verify voters before they cast their ballots.
Electoral Commission chairman Simon Byabakama said preparations for the by-election began with an update of the national voters’ register between August 5 and 7, covering all 23 parishes in Adjumani West Constituency.
The updated register was subsequently displayed at all 114 polling stations to allow voters to verify their particulars and raise any concerns.
Mr Byabakama said nominations for the parliamentary seat were conducted on September 7 and 8 at the Adjumani Electoral Commission returning office.
The by-election is being held to replace the late Gen Moses Ali, with independent candidate Gasper Draga and NRM candidate James Leku Pili remaining in the race.
Mr Byabakama, however, said the commission had received formal letters withdrawing the candidatures of independent candidates Ben Anyama and Patrick Tandrupasi.
‘The commission wishes to inform voters in Adjumani West that it received letters of withdrawal from Ben Anyama, an independent, and Patrick Tandrupasi, an independent. Accordingly, these people will not appear on the ballot paper in tomorrow’s by-election,’ he said.
The campaign period, which started on September 8, ended on September 15.
Mr Byabakama commended the candidates and their supporters for what he described as a largely peaceful campaign.
‘We did not have any violence during the campaigns. When we say campaigns ended yesterday, they ended. There should be no more campaigns, not even on radio or any media platform,’ he said.
He said candidates could only meet their polling agents for final briefings and logistical planning ahead of polling.
The Regional Police Commander for North West Nile, Superintendent of Police Joseph Mwesige, urged candidates, their supporters and voters to maintain discipline throughout the voting process.
Mr Mwesige said police had not recorded any acts of violence during the campaign period and assured residents that security personnel were prepared to maintain order during polling.
‘We shall be prepared to ensure the process ends very well,’ he said.
Mr Leku urged voters to respect one another and observe the laws governing elections.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner Emmanuel Okwari said district authorities had been monitoring the electoral process and remained committed to ensuring that the election was conducted successfully.
According to Electoral Commission figures, Adjumani West Constituency has 51,438 registered voters drawn from five sub-counties and local government areas: Ukusijoni, Ciforo, Adropi, Pachara and Adjumani Town Council.
With voting materials received, biometric verification machines in place and security and election officials deployed, attention now shifts to Thursday’s polling, when voters will choose their representative for the constituency.