Dokolo by- election: Security heightened, over 14 DPCs deployed

Dokolo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Security has been heightened in Dokolo district ahead of the District Woman MP polls on Thursday.

According to the Regional Police Commander of North Kyoga, Deo Obura, each sub county and town council in Dokolo district is manned by District Police Commanders (DPCs) drawn from the neighbouring districts of Lango, Acholi and other areas surrounding Dokolo district. The district has 14 sub counties including town councils.

Ashraf Chemonges, the commanding officer representing the Inspector General of Police says that they security agencies are not taking chances for any eventualities during the polls.

Chemonges said that unlike in the past elections where suspects of election violence are arrested and detained without trial, any suspects found in conflict with the law will be paraded to court after the polls.

Justice Simon Byabakama, the EC Chairperson tasked the Police to ensure that numberless vehicles are not seen anywhere during polls in Dokolo as it has been the case in other by- elections. “Numberless vehicles appearing in an electoral area indicates sinister motives. We want this election to be conducted in an environment that all stakeholders will appreciate,” Justice Byabakama said.

In the past by- elections conducted in different areas,  numberless vehicles start storming the electoral area on election eve and operate throughout the night and sometimes cross to the polling day. Byabakama has ordered the arrest of all numberless vehicles that may be seen in Dokolo.

The Dokolo by- election follows  the demise of Cecilia Atim Ogwal, one of the longest serving MPs in the Parliament of Uganda since independence. The seat has attracted five candidates including her daughter, Dr. Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal who is contesting under the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

The others  are Sarah Aguti Nyangkori of Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party, Janet Rose Adongo Elau of NRM, Dr. Esther Akullo Obot Otada, an independent and Harriet Ageno of the National Unity Platform (NUP).

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