Aspirant pulls out of Labwor race

Jan 06, 2008

AN independent candidate in the by-elections for Labwor constituency in Abim district, Emma Akello Akora, has pulled out, a few days to the polling day.

By Geresom Musamali

AN independent candidate in the by-elections for Labwor constituency in Abim district, Emma Akello Akora, has pulled out, a few days to the polling day.

The seat fell vacant after the death of state minister for planning Omwony Ojwok in November last year. The polls, in which Ojwok’s widow, the Rev. Florence Odong is contesting on the ruling NRM party ticket, are due on Tuesday (tomorrow).

“The Electoral Commission (EC) has already finished printing ballot papers for the by-election, and, therefore, the names, photograph, and symbol of Akello Akora will still appear on the ballot paper,” said the commission’s acting chairperson, the Rev. Sr. Margaret Magoba.

“However, any vote cast on the polling day for a candidate who has withdrawn their nomination shall be invalid. All presiding officers are hereby directed to verbally inform voters of the withdrawal as they issue the ballot papers.”

She said the EC has also printed a notice of Akora’s withdrawal which will be posted at each polling station in the constituency.

Yefesi Otim Omara and Michael Ayepa are the other independent candidates. The opposition parties did not field candidates.

Meanwhile, in Busia district, the by-elections for Samia-Bugwe North will also be held tomorrow.

The seat fell vacant after former MP Aggrey Awori successfully petitioned against the election of incumbent Stephen Wasike for contesting the seat before resigning from public office.

Wasike’s wife, Sarah Mwebaza, is among the four candidates vying for the seat. Others are FDC’s Kevina Taaka, Godfrey Osenda of DP and Nathan Wabwire, an independent.

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