By Wetondo Denis Julius
MBALE
A Presiding Officer at Nkoma Central Polling Station, Nkoma Ward, Northern City Division in Mbale City is on the run for allegedly facilitating ballot stuffing.
Israel Teru is wanted by Police for allegedly facilitating ballot stuffing in Monday’s 8th February, 2021 residual elections for Northern Division City directly elected councilors.
According to Rogers Taitika, the police spokesperson Elgon region, during residual elections at Nkoma ward, Teru connived with three supporters of different candidates to stuff ballots.
Taitika revealed the arrested suspects as Mary Nandudu, Ashimu Mwanika and another one he didn’t reveal.
“We have so far arrested those three, impounded 650 ballots and are currently at Mbale Central Police Station. Meanwhile Teru who is currently on the run will have to answer charges of election violence and rigging.” Taitika said.
Meanwhile, Charles Obero, the Mbale City Registrar said that police is going to investigate the anomalies which were seen during the residual elections at Nkoma ward then they will come up with a final decision.
Abdulla Magambo, the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate was declared winner after polling 5,915 others, Jackson Kisolo(independent) got 3,121, Godfrey Wasukira of FDC got 2,648, Yassin Wabomba Kawanguzi of NRM got 1,763 votes, Asuman Wabonga independent got 762, Husain Mujasi (independent) got 349, Henry Manana independent got 234, David Kaalo independent got 124, and Antony Blenda Wekanya independent got 31 votes.
Jackson Kisolo who came second has threatened to go to court to challenge the election outcome saying there was widespread ballot stuffing and even multiple voting in Nkoma area.
Some of the candidates who lost in the race have disagreed with the results saying that elections were full of ballot stuffing adding that they will give their next move after police finishes their investigations.
Elections of councilors at Nkoma ward Northern city division in Mbale city were suspended last month after symbols and names of candidates were interchanged.
