The Electoral commission of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has cleared winners of the primaries whose results had been challenged by losers.
In the Acholi sub region those cleared as legitimate winners include: Nabinson Kidega James whose victory in Aruu had been challenged by Lawrence Odong; Minister Henry Okello Oryem whose win in Chua East had been challenged by Aber Janani Phoebe. Also cleared was Obutu Francis of Tochi County whose victory had been challenged by Wadok Francisco Awori.
“The petition committee looked in the entire petition and took a decision at the end of the day, “the Chair of the NRM electoral Commission Dr Tanga Odoi told Acholi Times on Thursday.
Odoi also confirmed Olanya Billy Graham as the NRM party flag bearer for Gulu District Chair after his rival Docho Bella failed to appear before the petition committee in Kampala.
In Kitgum, Odoi said the NRM electoral commission is looking into the issue of Labeja Bob William, a contestant for Kitgum LC5 Chair.
Labeja failed to get nominated by the National Electoral Commission for failing to submit his verified academic documents. Acholi Times understands the National Council for Higher Education has since verified Labeja’s papers. It is not yet clear whether the EC will nominate him after completion of nomination of others interested in the same seat.
The recent NRM primaries were rocked by accusations and counter accusations of vote rigging and other irregularities like ballot papers being sent to wrong locations.
Several losers in the polls including ministers have said they will contest as independents.