Tororo LC5 aspirants in desperate rush to get nominated

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Aspirants for the Tororo LC5 position are in a frantic scramble for requisite signatures as the Friday (September 5) deadline for nomination closes in on them.

The nomination period has been marked by confusion and last-minute appeals as several hopefuls have failed to get the required 1,500 signatures.

According to sources, the Electoral Commission's (EC) stringent verification process has been a source of significant frustration.

Aspirants, including incumbent John Okea (NRM), Paul Gonza (FDC), John Mike Oluka (Independent), John Obbo (Independent), and Leonard Okware (Independent), report that a substantial number of their collected signatures were rejected by the EC system, leaving them scrambling to secure the necessary endorsements.

The EC's guidelines stipulate that each candidate must secure 50 signatures from at least two-thirds of Tororo's 42 sub-counties.  This requirement has proved to be a significant hurdle, particularly as the EC verification system flagged numerous ineligible voters.  Time is fast-running out for aspirants to submit additional signatures.

John Mike Oluka (in black suit) trying to make last-minute calls.

Incumbent Okea, under pressure to retain his position, said: "We have worked tirelessly to meet the requirements, but the EC's verification system seems to be flawed. This is leaving candidates with little time to rectify the situation."

FDC's Gonza expressed similar sentiments. "The irregularities and issues with the verification system are very worrying.  The EC needs to ensure a transparent and inclusive process that allows all aspirants a fair chance to participate."

Oluka, an independent aspirant, said the system "has thrown a curveball at us. We were caught completely off guard. It was not fair to us". 

LC V hopeful Leonard Okware in brown sweater with Electoral Commission staff trying to verify his supporters.

Obbo, another independent candidate, said: "I am concerned the entire process could be a hindrance to those of us wanting to run an election, as it is the only way to have fair and transparent elections. It is not giving candidates a fair chance."

On his part, independent aspirant Okware said: "We had hoped to have a smoother path towards securing nominations. The verification system has created an uneven playing field, and now we have a lot of work to do to overcome this hurdle."

The EC has not yet responded to the issues raised.