EDITOR
Bigaaga Parish in Ndorwa West was thrown into disarray during the National Resistance Movement (NRM) parish-level elections following allegations of voter disenfranchisement and irregularities in the official register. The election, which drew a turnout of approximately 240 voters from eight villages, was halted amid rising tensions and widespread claims of manipulation.
Concerns emerged early in the exercise when voters noticed inconsistencies between the number of ballots cast and the number of voters listed in the official register. According to reports, several individuals who turned up to vote found their names missing from the register, while others observed that multiple votes were being counted per individual, prompting suspicions of vote inflation.
The situation worsened when accusations surfaced that some voters were being excluded on political grounds, particularly supporters of certain candidates. This has raised questions about the integrity of the voter register and the preparedness of the party’s electoral body in managing the grassroots election process.
One of the primary points of contention was the observation that voters were being counted twice, leading to inflated vote totals. Despite attempts by concerned voters to address the anomaly, they were allegedly ignored by polling officials, prompting the election’s suspension.
The situation further deteriorated when it was discovered that some individuals who had not appeared on the official register attempted to vote, leading to accusations from both camps of voter importation and manipulation.
While candidates exchanged blame over the chaos, voters across the political divide expressed frustration over the conduct of the elections, calling for a thorough audit of the voter register and clearer procedures for managing disputes on polling day.
The election has since been put on hold, pending further clarification and intervention from the NRM electoral authorities. Community members and stakeholders are now demanding transparency and reforms to restore trust in the local electoral processes.
