NRM’s Ariko emerges winner
Constituents in Soroti City East have decided that the ruling National Resistance Movement, NRM’s Herbert Edmund Ariko will represent them in Parliament.
Ariko emerged winner after beating his two opponents in the Uganda Peoples’ Congress (UPC) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
Soroti City Returning Officer announced the results at 10pm on Thursday with Ariko polling 9,407 votes against Attan’s 8,771 votes. The UPC candidate, Pascal Amuriat, got only 115 votes.
However, the polls were marred by major significant incidents of violence and reports of ballot stuffing, especially at three polling stations in Omalera, Otatai and Owolo.
The Electoral Commission (EC) was compelled to halt voting for over two hours in Omalera B and Owalei Polling Stations after locals protested the exercise over ballot stuffing.
In Omalera B Polling Station, where 42 voters had cast their votes, the agents and electoral officers discovered more than 200 ballot papers stuffed in the ballot box in favour of the NRM candidate Herbert Edmund Ariko.
NRM’s Ariko emerges winner
Justice Simon Byabakama, the Electoral Commission Chairperson has asked the Police to investigate the cases of violence reported at various polling stations.
The Soroti East seat fell vacant in June after the Court of Appeal nullified the election of Attan over irregularities.
His rival Ariko contested the results on grounds that his strongholds; Aloet and Opiyai wards were erroneously annexed to the Soroti West, which he noted disfranchised more than 5,000 voters.
