The National Resistance Movement party Electoral Commission has declared Andrew Okiki Obibi the winner of the Omoro District Chairmanship race.
Okot secured 12,887 votes, representing 53.4 percent, against incumbent Peter Douglas Okao, who garnered 11,223 votes, or 46.6 percent.
Last Saturday, the NRM Electoral Commissioner, Hajjat Zaitum Driwarin, barred the NRM returning officer in Omoro from declaring the results, citing irregularities.
These included allegations of “whitewashing” of results against the regional tallies, as alleged by Okot Andrew.
The commission also noted complaints from candidates about intimidation and the use of security personnel during the elections.
Okot had earlier challenged results from two polling stations, primarily areas supporting incumbent Okao, over suspected vote rigging.
In these two polling stations, the number of voters exceeded the figures in the NRM register book for the area, causing confusion over which numbers were accurate.
Okao sought to have the results from these two polling stations included in the final tally, but the commission preferred to refer the matter for further investigations.
Okao has served as the district chairperson of Omoro since the district was carved out of Gulu on September 3, 2015, officially starting operations in 2016.
In a related petition, Woman MP Catherine Lamwaka is still awaiting the commission’s decision after her close rival, Laika Betty, petitioned the tribunal citing malpractice, rigging, and intimidation involving security forces.
