By Crispin Kaheru
The overall observation is that polling in Adjumani West has generally gone well.
Materials generally arrived on time, polling started on time at most stations, the Biometric Voter Verification Kits generally worked well, and polling constables were present. The security environment was calm and largely unobtrusive.
The Electoral Commission demonstrated firm operational control of the process throughout the polling phase.
Four candidates were initially nominated: Ben Anyama (Independent), Gasper Draga (Independent), James Leku Pilli (NRM), and Patrick Tandrupasi (Independent). Anyama and Tandrupasi subsequently withdrew, leaving the contest between NRM’s James Leku Pilli and Independent Gasper Draga.
Across 114 polling stations serving 51,437 registered voters, the most noticeable feature was the generally low voter turnout. That deserves attention, although it is not unusual for stand-alone by-elections to attract significantly less participation than general elections. By the close of polls at 4:00 PM, low turnout was evident at most stations.
Candidate-agent deployment was uneven. NRM Leku Pilli’s agents were present at most polling stations we observed, while Independent Draga had noticeably very few agents.
The Global Election Observation Mission (GEOM) and the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) observers were also present in the field.
The conduct of the candidates, their supporters and security personnel was generally orderly throughout the polling period, contributing to a calm environment in which voters participated without major disruptions.
Crispin Kaheru is a Member | Election Observer from Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC)
