Ballot Mix-Up Causes Collapse of Residual Polling in Apala town council, Alebtong District.
By Okidi Patrick
ALEBTONG, UGANDA – February 17, 2026: A scheduled residual polling exercise for the Directly Elected District Male Councilor seat in Apala Town Council, Alebtong District, collapsed on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, after a critical error was discovered on the ballot papers. The vote, intended to fill a vacant local council position, was abruptly canceled and rescheduled for February 26, 2026.
According to Alebtong District Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Okiswa Geoffrey, the cancellation was triggered by a glaring discrepancy on the ballot paper. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate’s ballot, which should have displayed the party’s official “bus” symbol alongside its name, erroneously bore the word “Independent” instead of “NRM.”
“This was a technical mismatch that could have compromised the integrity of the election,” RDC Okiswa told journalists at the polling center in Apala. “The independent candidate protested immediately, citing unfair advantage and confusion, leading the District Returning Officer to cancel the exercise on the spot.”
The affected candidates—Atyang Paul (Independent), Apunyu Bonyface (UPC), and Acake Santi (NRM)—expressed frustration over the incident.
Acake Santi, the NRM flagbearer, also voiced disappointment, pointing out that the error could mislead voters and damage the party’s reputation. “Our symbol is recognized nationwide. Printing ‘Independent’ next to it is not just a mistake—it’s a potential source of disenfranchisement,” he stated.
In the aftermath, the District Internal Security Organisation (DISO) and District Police Commander (DPC) intervened to calm tensions, urging all parties to accept the EC’s directive to postpone the election. Officials emphasized the need to uphold electoral integrity and prevent legal challenges that could delay the process further.
“The decision to cancel and reschedule was made to preserve transparency and public confidence,” the District Returning Officer explained. “The revised ballot papers will be verified by all stakeholders before distribution.”
The Electoral Commission has since acknowledged the error, attributing it to a “printing oversight during ballot preparation.” In a brief statement, the EC pledged to implement stricter quality checks ahead of the new voting date on February 26 and assured candidates that corrective measures are underway.
Despite the reassurance, political observers warn that repeated administrative failures risk eroding trust in Uganda’s electoral process, especially at the local government level.
“The people of Apala deserve better,” said one of the candidates in the race. “Technical errors must be minimized through better oversight. Every vote counts, and so does every step in the process leading to it.”
Residents of Alebtong now await the re-conducted poll, hoping for a smooth and credible election next week.
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