Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama has commended residents of Adjumani West Constituency for conducting what he described as one of the most peaceful and orderly elections witnessed in the country.
Byabakama made the remarks on Thursday evening after voting, counting and tallying concluded in the Adjumani West parliamentary by-election, which was won by National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Leku James Pilli.
Pilli secured 12,423 votes against Independent candidate Jasper Draga’s 2,559 votes, according to results declared by Adjumani Electoral District Returning Officer Akau Eunice Christine.
The Returning Officer declared Pilli the elected Member of Parliament after tallying 14,982 valid votes.
A total of 15,216 ballot papers were counted, with 234 votes rejected or declared invalid and 19 recorded as spoilt.
Byabakama said the election, held at 114 polling stations, was characterised by calm, order and respect for the electoral process.
“I think we are discussing among ourselves that this might be one of the most peaceful elections that have happened. It was very peaceful. The people were very orderly and organised,” Byabakama said.
He said Electoral Commission officials did not encounter controversy at any of the polling stations and that voters remained orderly throughout the counting process.
“They have set the bar in this country on how to conduct a peaceful election. The people of Adjumani West, I must repeat, have set the bar,” he said.
Byabakama commended the candidates, political parties, security personnel, Electoral Commission staff, polling officials and other stakeholders for their role in ensuring a smooth electoral process.
He urged residents to maintain the spirit of unity and work together to promote the social and economic development of the constituency.
In his victory remarks, Pilli thanked the people of Adjumani for entrusting him with the parliamentary mandate and pledged to work with the community to address their concerns.
“I want all of them to remain united because this was an election, but we are people of Madi and we must remain united to guard our place,” Pilli said.
He invited his fellow contestants and their supporters to join him in working for the people of Adjumani West, saying the constituency faces several challenges that require collective effort.
Pilli also paid tribute to the late Gen Moses Ali, whose death left the parliamentary seat vacant, saying he would seek to address some of the challenges left unresolved while appreciating the former MP’s contribution to Adjumani West.
He thanked President Yoweri Museveni, the NRM Secretariat and party structures for their support during the electoral process.
NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi commended Pilli for remaining composed after the party primary and for reaching out to fellow contestants following the internal contest.
Odoi also praised the party’s mobilisation strategy, particularly its focus on working with local structures and communities.
“To me, as a scholar, I think that was the best we did in all the by-elections I have handled. Touching base and building synergies with the local content made the local people own the process,” Odoi said.
NRM Director for Mobilisation Dr Rosemary Sseninde attributed the victory to teamwork involving the party leadership, district structures, mobilisation teams and local communities.
She said the campaign focused on uniting the people of Adjumani and called on leaders and residents to maintain that unity after the election.
“Now that they have a Member of Parliament, they need to all come together, work with him and be able to address the concerns and issues that affect Adjumani because life in Adjumani has to continue,” Sseninde said.
