The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) returning officer for Yumbe district, Swali Geriga, on Thursday nullified the election results for the position of district chairperson over anomalies during the election.

The decision came after the total number of votes cast, 65, surpassed the 59 voters present, according to the register.

However, Geriga said there was no irregularity for the other two elective positions — district secretary for education and district treasurer.

"We expected 59 voters as per the number of voters present. By the powers vested in me as the returning officer, I hereby declare the results for district chairperson nullified," he said.

Geriga urged the candidates and their supporters to remain calm as they will communicate a day for fresh elections.

"The election results for the two positions stand, but fresh elections for the district chairperson shall be communicated," he said.

Five people vied for the position of district chairperson, but one stepped down minutes before the beginning of the voting exercise over allegations of threats to his life.

According to the nullified results, incumbent district chairperson Juma Gala Matata would have emerged the victor with 27 votes, former Yumbe LC5 vice chairperson Saidi Aniku came in second with 18 votes, secondary school teacher and former chairperson for Dacha Muslim County, Ashiraf Ayisuga, came third with 12 votes and former directly elected councillor for Apo sub-county, Noah Angudria, finished with one vote while seven votes were invalid.

Mustafa Babuga, one of the voters, criticised the electoral body for the decision to cancel the election.

Babuga said Matata would still have emerged victorious even if the extra six votes cast were deducted from the final tally.

Matata described the decision to cancel the election as unjust and challenged the electoral body to clarify how the rigging occurred.

"I think it is a planned move to eliminate me. I would not fear fresh election, but let the electoral body first clarify on how the rigging occurred and by which category of people," he said.

However, Ayisuga lauded the electoral body for the decision.

"Why is it that the other positions have no problems except that of the district chairperson? It's a sign that there was rigging and I thank the electoral body for the decision," he said.