PALLISA: Three people were on Tuesday nominated to contest the Gogonyo County by-election in Pallisa District. The Gogonyo County seat fell vacant following a court of appeal decision to nullify Derrick Orone’s victory over election irregularities.
Orone’s trouble stemmed from an application filed by his rival, Issa Bantalib Taligola. Taligola garnered 6, 280 votes while Orone, who ran on the National Resistance Movement-NRM party ticket, managed 6, 314 votes.
The Court of Appeal Justices set aside the High Court decision and nullified Orone’s victory, noting that they were satisfied with the evidence on the court record that Orone committed electoral offences when he moved within the precincts of several polling stations with armed personnel and canvassed for votes.
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The three, who include Orone, Joseph Okoboi Opolot of National Unity Platform-NUP, and Independent Candidate Isa Bantalib Taligoola, were nominated by Daniel Othieno, the Pallisa District Returning Officer.
According to Othieno, the campaigns begin on Wednesday and end on August 9. The polls have been set for August 11.
Okoboi says that his campaign will focus on education and eradicating poverty in the area. He says that he is the most suitable candidate because the people of Gogonyo have for a long time not benefited from the NRM government.
Orone says that he will fulfil his manifesto and the promises he has made to the people.
Bantalib says that his task will be to ensure that services like education and health care reach the people at the grassroots.
Rosemary Sseninde, the NRM national mobilizer, says that she is hopeful that the party will retain the senate.
Abdallah Soiko says that he will vote for a person who will liberate his people from poverty, improve the road network, and access safe and clean drinking water.
The county has more than 20,000 registered voters and 62 polling stations.
