Police in Arua Vurra District have arrested a National Resistance Movement (NRM) registrar over the unauthorized issuance of Declaration of Results (DR) forms to a candidate ahead of the officially sanctioned timeline.
The arrest has sparked concerns over electoral integrity just days into the party’s primary election processes in the West Nile region.
According to district authorities, the registrar’s actions violated directives from the District Security Committee, which had earlier outlined strict timelines and protocols for the handling of sensitive election materials.
The premature release of DR forms is suspected to have been aimed at giving undue advantage to one of the contestants in the ongoing internal party races.
The irregularity was unearthed after multiple stakeholders lodged formal complaints, prompting swift intervention by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and the district security team.
The registrar, whose name was not immediately disclosed, was arrested on suspicion of corruption and electoral misconduct, particularly in relation to the handling of the voter register and DR forms.
Speaking on the incident, SP Collins Asea, the West Nile Regional Police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest and condemned the registrar’s conduct.
“It is regrettable that some leaders continue to engage in questionable activities that erode public trust in the electoral process,” Asea said.
“Such behaviour undermines the transparency and credibility of the party primaries and the wider democratic process.”
Police have since launched a full investigation into the incident and have pledged to update the public as the inquiry progresses.
The Electoral Commission’s integrity has come under scrutiny in past election cycles, and this incident adds to long-standing concerns over malpractice in party primaries.
Authorities are now urging all political actors—candidates, agents, and officials—to strictly follow electoral guidelines and work closely with security agencies to uphold the principles of fairness and accountability during the election period.
The NRM primaries are considered a critical step in determining the party's flagbearers at all levels, with fierce competition often leading to disputes and, at times, violence.
This arrest is likely to trigger further scrutiny of internal party processes and could set a precedent for tighter oversight as the country moves toward the 2026 general elections.
