LOW TURN-UP REGISTERED IN RUHAAMA BY-ELECTION

By Elly Katahinga

In Ntungamo–

As the people of Ruhaama county Ntungamo district goes for voting today to decide who should be their next M P amongst the four candidates, the voter turn up is low despite polling materials being delivered to polling stations by 6:00am.

The voting process was delayed by breakdown of Biometric voter verification Kit in some areas of Muyogo C.O.U Kikoni Parish polling station.

Polling officials waiting for voters at Irenga polling station

According to the polling officials at the polling station noted that BVK machine doesn’t work or accept the pin number of the presiding officer which has delayed the voting process.

When contacted the Ntungamo district Returning officer Robert Beine said that the team of Electoral commission is moving to every polling station to verify the process.

There are 116,836 registered voters in all 199 polling stations in in eleven sub counties and Town councils of Ruhaama County.
Ruhaama County MP seat fall vacant after the death of MP Hon. William Beijukye Zinkurateire. Four candidates are contesting in the race including the NRM’s Mr. Moses Mugabe Kahima, and independent candidates, Dr. Peninah Beinomugisha Jambo, Eng. Jackson Mubangizi Kabikire and Vastina Orishaba Byarugaba who doesn’t have polling agents in Ntungamo sub county.
Other contested areas in local government councils are sub county chairperson Ruhaama with 2 candidates Kinyata Ipolito (FDC) and Kwatampora Stephen (NRM),Ruhaama East sub county directly elected councilor –Rwemiriro with contenders Nasasira Simon (NRM) and Siwedi Johnson (Independent),Kafunjo-Mirama T/Council directly elected councilor-Kigando ward with 3, Katabaazi Yowasi (NRM),Byamukama Alex and Byamukama Simon (Independents),and Ruhaama East sub county Male Youth councilor with 2,Byakatonda Bosco (NRM) and Mwesigye Alex (independent).

In Ntungamo sub county at Karegyeya Polling Station with 905 voters opened at 7:45am,Irenga station with 228 voters opened at 8am,Mutanoga 717 voters at 8:20am,Muyogo 301 voters at 8:49am, Kyangara 815 voters at 8:am and Kabira P/S all were not yet started at this time.
Speaking to Namagande Ruth the presiding officer Irenga polling station said that voters first go to attend their gardens like harvesting millet.

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