NRM electoral commission petitioned over election of minister Obua as party flagbearer

An aspirant in the concluded NRM primaries has petitioned the party electoral commission chairperson, Dr.Tanga Odoi over the election of the State Minister for Sports Denis Hamson Obua as the Ajuri County flagbearer.

Obua with 11168 votes against Isac Okwir’s 9008 and Daniel Obal’s 4150 was declared the winner of the election on Friday.

However, according to the petition, Obal says the election that led to the minister’s election was marred with several irregularities.

“On the eve of the election, Hamson Denis Obua led a group of his personal militia called the yellow brigade to terrorise the residents of Amugu town council. They were putting on army uniforms and armed. They beat up people in Amugu town whom he perceived to be my stronghold,”Obal says in his petition.

The aspirant in the concluded elections says whereas the area RDC, Allan Okong had earlier issued a circular calling for the disbandment of all militias in the area, Obua’s group was never disbanded, neither any steps were taken to arrest its members.

“The chairperson of NRM for Amugu sub-county Adam Ocoo openly came out announced his support for Obua noting that he would win with him. He was later on discovered to be the chief agent of Obua who even signed his declaration of results form. In our internal party system, the chairpersons and registrar are expected to be impartial,” Obal avers.

Other irregularities

Obal says that the sports minister paid village registrars within seven sub-counties to help him “balance” results and that on election day,  Obua’s agents were seen dishing out money to registrars at polling stations.

“At the district tally centre, Hon.Hamson Obua entered the room while armed with a pistol and military guard. The rest of us candidates had not guns or guards. This left us intimidated and in fear for our lives especially given earlier incidences of violence,”Obal says in his petition.

He also argues that the sub-county registrar for Abako was spotted at the tally room changing figures in the declaration of result forms in favour of the minister.

“In the sub-county, most declaration of result forms were returned with my names and votes missing. When I raised the issue with the district registrar, he simply overlooked the irregularity and went with his declarations nonetheless.”

Demand

The aspirant in the NRM primaries wants the party electoral commission to declare that the election of Denis Hamson Obua as the Ajuri County flagbearer was illegal and results nullified.

Obal also wants criminal proceedings instituted against the Aletong district registrar, administrative secretary and the area NRM chairperson for the district for acting in total disregard of the law.

Several aspirants, especially those who lost in the NRM primaries have decried several irregularities including ferrying of voters, multiple voting, intimidation and violence on supporters in the polls.

Many say the directive by President Museveni to allow all party members including those not in the register cost them since many non-members were mobilized by opponents to participate in the election.

The President, who is also the national party chairman urged members dissatisfied with the results from the polls to lodge complaints.

“My advice is that we should set up panels of elders per zone. As NRM members you don’t have to riot or quarrel, just write petition and send it to panel.”

The game is finished for “idiots” who caused chaos during NRM primaries- Museveni

 

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