ARUA – Arua city and particularly Arua Central Division have registered a fair turnout during the election of Division mayors and directly elected councillors.
The voter turnout was better than the city’s mayoral elections last week.

The elections, in which eight candidates are vying for the position of mayor of Arua Central Division, started on time at most of polling stations where the electorate used the Biometric Voter Verification Kit, unlike in the previous elections, where manual registers were used to identify voters.

At Muru Rahman polling station in Pangisa ward, Arua Central Division, 136 people had voted by midday out of 631 registered voters.

Patricia Nakuya, the presidential officer, acknowledged the improved turnout of the voters compared to last week’s elections.

“The exercise is smooth, and the turnout is very okay compared to last week because today by 7:30am, the voting had started and all the agents are around and we are using the BVVK machines, which is working perfectly well, and I know by close of daybreak shall have atleast half of the registered voters,” Said Nakuta.

Meanwhile, at Osu Bibia primary school polling station,atleast 74 people had voted by midday out of 358 voters registered.

Jennifer Ajio, the presiding officer, however, attributes some delay to the lack of 10 members to witness the opening of the ballot box.

“So far so good, the machine is working well, and we have not faced any challenge, and the turnout is fair compared to the city mayor elections last week. I think people have attached a lot of importance to this election”,Ajio confirmed.

Female councillor election postponed

Meanwhile, at Bazaar ward in Arua central division, election for the female councillor was postponed after the picture and details of a deceased FDC female councillor, late Shamira Haruna, appeared on the ballot instead of Elias Zabibu, who replaced her on FDC ticket after her demise.

Uthman Abdul Zahara, the presiding officer for Arua public primary school A-B polling station in Bazaar war,d Arua Central Division, said no new date has been given for the elections by press time, adding that many voters who had turned up to vote for the female councillor were left stranded.

Two women were nominated to contest for the position, including the NRMs Zuria Adukudua Gutru.

Eight vie for Arua Central Division mayoral race

In Arua Central Division, eight candidates are battling to lead the Central Business Division: Wahab Alege Issa (Independent), Khemis Abuma Andiga Jabir (Independent), Flavia Avako Freda(Independent), Baguma Saidi (NRM), Kato Yasi Osman (NUP), Yophas Leti (Independent), Nezma Ocokoru (ANT), and Omar Abdullay Ssennonga (FDC).

Ayivu Division mayor unopposed

Meanwhile, in Ayivu Division, Arua city, voting is only taking place for the directly elected ward councillors, as the mayor, who is also the incumbent Malon Avutia (NRM) remained unopposed.

Males emerged unopposed after the only competitor, who was nominated as an independent candidate, Jimmy Candia aka TIG, withdrew from the race under unclear circumstances in the middle of campaigns.