Rakai NRM LC V Candidate Petitions EC for Vote Recount

Godfrey Bajjungu, the former National Resistance Movement-NRM candidate in the Rakai LC V chairperson’s race has petitioned the Electoral Commission-EC for a vote recount.

In his January 21, 2021 petition addressed to the Electoral Commission chairperson through the District Registrar, Bajjungu claims that ballot papers in two boxes from Kiteredde polling station in Kibanda sub-county and Kitogota polling station in Kiziba sub-county were not counted.

He says the ballot boxes were confiscated by police following a fracas that erupted from the alleged ballot stuffing by Bajjungu’s agents. He also explains that during the vote tallying exercise, his chief-agent Zedi Kayonde was not allowed to access the Tally Centre to represent him.

 

According to Bajjungu, this gave chance to the presiding officials to alter the results and declared his independent rival, Samuel Kaggwa Ssekamwa, the winner of the elections.

 

He also claims that his agents in Lwamagwa sub-county, where Ssekamwa hails from, were badly beaten and admitted in critical condition while others were chased away from polling stations. Ssekamwa emerged winner after scoring 22518 votes while Bajjungu scored 22286 votes.

NUP’s candidate, Eliab Kiggundu Sango came third with 9,755 votes, FDC’s candidate, John Kasiiba  came third with 2,816 votes, Ali Barekye Turyahikayo 511 votes, Robert Nyondo 604 and FDC Elisa Nicholas Ssekitende polled 261 votes.

 

Bajjungu says that he is not satisfied with the results, saying his opponent used all tricks to ensure he is declared the winner. However, Ssekamwa says the petition is intended to cover up the ballot stuffing perpetrated by the applicant’s supporters. He claims that the applicant's agents were caught red-handed with ballot papers during elections. 

 

//Cue in: “A vote recount, the problem…………..

 

Cue out:………………to cover-up his mistakes.”//  

 

Sylvia Kyoheirwe, the Rakai District Registrar has confirmed receipt of the petition, saying they have forwarded it to their headquarters in Kampala and are waiting for feedback.