Politics
Adjumani West voters slow to turn up as polling gets underway
Independent candidate Gasper Draga was among the first 20 voters at Adjumani-Ginari polling station A-IR, where he cast his vote at exactly 8:20 am.
Locals lining up during the by-election voting exercise at Adjumani Ginari polling station in Cesia parish, Adjumani town council. (Photo by Doreen Tasia)
By: Doreen Tasia, Journalist @New Vision
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Voting to elect the Member of Parliament for Adjumani West constituency started Thursday (September 17), with generally low turnout reported at most polling stations.
The Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, had announced on Wednesday that polling would run from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, with voters encouraged to turn up early at their designated polling stations.
Independent candidate Gasper Draga was among the first 20 voters at Adjumani-Ginari polling station A-IR, where he cast his vote at exactly 8:20 am.
Independent candidate Gasper Draga casting his vote. (Photo by Doreen Tasia)
Draga expressed optimism about the outcome of the election.
Adjumani West has 23 parishes and 99 villages, with 51,438 registered voters across four sub-counties and one town council.
NRM candidate James Leku was expected to cast his vote at Openizizi Primary School polling station in Adropi sub-county.
The election follows a pre-polling meeting held on Wednesday, during which Byabakama announced the polling hours and urged voters to participate in the exercise.
"Voting will be conducted at all 114 polling stations across the 99 villages starting from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. However, if there are still voters in line up to 4:00 pm, they are allowed to vote," Byabakama said.
Adjumani West has 23 parishes and 99 villages, with 51,438 registered voters across four sub-counties and one town council.
NRM candidate James Leku was expected to cast his vote at Openizizi Primary School polling station in Adropi sub-county.
The election follows a pre-polling meeting held on Wednesday, during which Byabakama announced the polling hours and urged voters to participate in the exercise.
"Voting will be conducted at all 114 polling stations across the 99 villages starting from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. However, if there are still voters in line up to 4:00 pm, they are allowed to vote," Byabakama said.
Byabakama also encouraged candidates to make formal appointment letters for their agents to be deployed at the various polling stations, while warning against the use of posters.
The chairperson commended the people of Adjumani and the two candidates, Leku and Draga, on the peaceful and successful campaign period.
Adjumani returning officer Eunice Christine Akoa on Wednesday said all polling materials had been delivered on September 15, 2026, and witnessed by the candidates and their agents.
Joseph Mwesigye, the regional police commander for North West Nile Region, reassured the commission of the police's mandate to ensure the elections remain peaceful.
After polling closes at 4:00 pm, tallying of votes will proceed at Adjumani District Council Hall.
The chairperson commended the people of Adjumani and the two candidates, Leku and Draga, on the peaceful and successful campaign period.
Independent candidate Gasper Draga speaking to journalists after casting his vote. (Photo by Doreen Tasia)
Adjumani returning officer Eunice Christine Akoa on Wednesday said all polling materials had been delivered on September 15, 2026, and witnessed by the candidates and their agents.
Joseph Mwesigye, the regional police commander for North West Nile Region, reassured the commission of the police's mandate to ensure the elections remain peaceful.
After polling closes at 4:00 pm, tallying of votes will proceed at Adjumani District Council Hall.