By Emmanuel Olinga
KATAKWI
Five LCV Aspirants in Katakwi district have failed to be nominated to run for position of District chairperson out of seven that showed interest after failing to collect signatures and other relevant documents for the exercise.
Alfred Aruwo, former Soroti mayor, Otai Julius, David Morulem, James Ogeatum, Frances Clare Apolot, all Independent candidates failed to be nominated due to a failure to provide the required documents.
The district local government LCV and District councilors’ nomination process that took place on Thursday and Friday last week went on peacefully.
According to Martin Ariko Aukin, LCV aspirant for LCV Katakwi District under the National Unity Platform (NUP), the procedure was hampered by the system’s rejection of certain NIN numbers.
However, Geoffrey Omolo NRM and Martin Odaka Omedo are the only two candidates successfully nominated to run for the position of LCV chairperson in Katakwi District.
Shortly after nomination, Omolo highlighted that his leadership will focus on good leadership. He stressed that his leadership has cleared several debts the district got out of garnishment of district accounts from previous leadership.
He also said the improvement of district development is exhibited, noting that the Ocorimongin cattle market run by several companies such as Ateker cooperative Kamutur Bukedea, East Kyoga from Katakwi and Ocorimongin cattle traders has earned more revenue noting that previously, the district used to collect about Shs9M but now collects approximately Shs32M monthly.
According to Stephen Makubuya, District Returning Officer for Katakwi District, majority of the applicants failed to submit the needed signatures for nominations.
He says others did not meet the two-thirds (2/3) requirement, while others arrived late, submitted incomplete documentation, and failed to pay the nomination fee.
According to him, technical faults were quickly corrected on day one of the process, and day two went smoothly, with all aspirants who met the standards being nominated without regard for political hue.
He stated that candidates who did not meet the threshold used voters’ NIN numbers from outside the voting district, incorrect NIN numbers, and NIN numbers previously used by other candidates.
He stated that the electoral commission, as an independent organization, nominated contestants from the DP, NUP, FDC, and NRM parties.
The Electoral commission Katakwi however advised successful candidates to give campaign programs that the electoral commission might follow to avoid any clashes.
