Voting at Kura I Kona polling station in Gem Parish, Lalogi Sub- County, Omoro District, was halted for more than an hour after voters rejected the exercise over missing photographs of directly elected and Women councilor candidates on the ballot papers.
Voters expressed anger after discovering that while ballot papers for Sub-County Chairperson positions featured candidates’ photos, those for councilors only displayed party symbols and candidates’ chosen symbols, without photographs.
Leo Otim, a resident of Kura I Kona village, told Favour FM that the absence of photos made it difficult for some voters to identify their preferred candidates.
He emphasizes that many voters, especially those who cannot read, rely on candidates’ photographs to vote correctly.
Otim accuses the Electoral Commission of failing to adequately sensitize voters about the features on councilors’ ballot papers, noting that many were unaware that councilors’ ballots would not include photos but only party symbols and individual candidate symbols.
Tension at the polling station escalated to the point where some voters began walking away, prompting intervention by the presiding officer and security personnel who restored calm.
Omoro District Returning Officer, Paddy Atuha explains that the absence of photos on councilor ballot papers was not an error but a standard procedure by the Electoral Commission.
He says councilor ballot papers feature candidates’ names, party symbols, and symbols chosen by the candidates themselves.
However, Atuha admits that in two unnamed polling stations, some candidates’ symbols had been mixed up, causing confusion.
He says the issue was identified and corrective measures were taken.
By URN
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