Frustration as ballot mix-up again halts Arua female councillor election

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Voters in Bazaar ward in Arua city are furious after the election for the female division councillor scheduled for Tuesday (February 17) was postponed again due to a photo mix-up.

The Electoral Commission on Tuesday conducted residual elections in 73 affected electoral areas across more than 30 districts where polls had previously not been conducted or concluded due to unavoidable circumstances.

However, in Bazaar Ward in Arua city, the ballot paper once again displayed the photo of the late Shamira Haruna, the Forum for Democratic Change candidate, instead of her replacement, Zabibu Alias, who is also the FDC candidate.

The error angered voters who had turned up to cast their ballots, prompting the Electoral Commission to postpone the election.

Paskwale Aniku, a voter at Central Market in Bazaar ward, expressed disappointment over the postponement, saying it could discourage voter participation.

“This is the second time we have come to vote our candidates for the female councillor and failed. How will they motivate us to vote again? This is very disappointing," said Aniku.

Maliamungu Taban, chairperson of Central Market Bazaar ward, said some voters had turned up to vote but were turned away, sparking further frustration.

According to Maliamungu, some voters, including relatives of the late Shamira, were distressed upon seeing her photo on the ballot paper, which caused them emotional pain.

He appealed to the Electoral Commission to rectify the anomaly as soon as possible.

Zuria Adukudua, the NRM candidate for the female councillor position, urged her supporters to remain calm but faulted the Electoral Commission for the repeated mistakes. She said the Commission should declare her unopposed if it cannot conduct the election properly.

Zabibu Alia, the FDC candidate for the same position, said she was equally disappointed after preparing to vote, but urged her supporters to wait peacefully for a new date.

“I am very disappointed about what happened, but we will continue to wait for the EC to do the right thing, and of course, this can discourage voters who has charged to vote for us,” said Zabibu.

Osuman Ezale, the Returning officer Arua City electoral area. (Courtesy)

Osman Ezale, the Electoral Commission returning officer for Arua city, apologised for the error and promised to reschedule the election, possibly next week.

The election for the female division councillor in Bazaar ward had earlier been postponed on January 27, 2026, after the photo of the deceased FDC candidate Shamira Haruna appeared on the ballot paper instead of that of Zabibu Alias, who had replaced her on the party ticket.