By Delux Emmy Alomu
SOROTI CITY
The village women’s council elections commenced in Madera ward, Soroti City East, but only three cells out of eight were able to host elections. The remaining five villages saw candidates from the ruling NRM Party elected unopposed.
Joseph Isaac Okello, the EC supervisor for Madera ward, noted that the three villages holding elections were Majengo B, Aminit cell, and Ogasia. The elections in Ogasia are particularly competitive, featuring five candidates each from NRM and FDC.
The NRM candidates from Ogasia include Grace Ajiko, Rebecca Apio Emesu, Martha Amongin, Jennifer Achom, and Suzan Ilado, while FDC candidates are Florence Apiny, Catherine Akello, Patricia Akello, Betty Akongo, and Florence Icila.
In Majengo B and Aminit cell, there are only two candidates each competing for the chairperson position, representing NRM, FDC, and independent tickets. Other positions, including vice chairperson, secretary, publicity secretary, and secretary for governance, were elected unopposed in these cells.
Meanwhile, the remaining five cells in Madera ward—Aregerego, Asinge, Majengo A, Madera Central, and UCC Soroti—did not conduct elections as all NRM candidates were elected unopposed.
During a voter education session at Ogasia cell, Okello informed attendees that the elected village chairperson will automatically join the LC1 Committee.
He also urged voters to avoid any form of election violence after noticing some locals bringing alcohol to polling stations.
Additionally, Okello instructed an NRM candidate from Majengo B to return a music system she had brought to the polling station, emphasizing that campaigning time had concluded.
Boda boda cyclists and Tukutukus were seen transporting voters to various polling stations as early as 8 AM on the election day.
By 9 AM, around 100 out of the 195 registered women voters had made their way to the Ogasia Polling Station, even though the election was scheduled to commence between 11:30 AM and 2:30 AM, as stated by the Election Commission.
However, some women, including Mary Gorreti Idela and Florence Akutui, expressed concern about the lengthy wait times, suggesting that adjustments be made so they could vote early and return home to prepare meals for their schoolchildren and families.
The elections will enable registered women in each village to elect five members for the Village Women’s Committee: chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, publicity secretary, and secretary for governance. The election process follows the lining-up method as outlined in the local government act, where voters position themselves behind their candidate or a representative.
The EC reminds voters that only women whose names appear on the Village Women’s Register will be permitted to vote. The next set of elections, for Village (LC1) chairpersons, is scheduled for July 28.
