Odonga Otto insists he won Aruu County Election by 800 Votes

By Patrick Okino

Former Aruu County Member of Parliament, Samuel Odonga Otto, has insisted that he won the recently concluded parliamentary election, claiming that the results were manipulated in favour of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate.

Speaking at Amindit Village in Abako Sub-county, Alebtong District, on Sunday 2- Feb, during a thanksgiving prayer organised by Government Chief Whip and Ajuri County MP Denis Hamson Obua, Odonga claimed he defeated NRM’s Christopher Komakech by more than 800 votes.

“I am waiting, but it is totally unacceptable because I won that election with over 800 votes and the results were manipulated,” Odonga said. “I learnt a lesson after 49 years in politics. When there are only two candidates, it is very risky. Next time, if you are two in the race, sponsor a third candidate.”

Odonga alleged that his polling agents signed declaration forms which were later handed over to his opponent, allowing figures to be altered. He further claimed—without naming the agents—that each received Shs1.2 million.

“If there were three candidates, it would have been difficult to gather all the agents. My opponent filled in whatever results he needed,” he alleged.

Odonga said he is preparing to file an election petition on grounds that he was denied a mandatory recount. He described the recount as a legal requirement that was unlawfully denied.

Earlier, the Pader Chief Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Martin Kirya, dismissed Odonga’s petition seeking a recount of the January 15 election. In that petition, Odonga cited ballot stuffing and wrongful invalidation of ballots marked in his favour at several polling stations.

The Electoral Commission (EC) declared incumbent Christopher Komakech the winner of the Aruu County parliamentary race after securing 10,455 votes, narrowly defeating Odonga, who garnered 10,429 votes—a margin of 26 votes.

However, the court dismissed the recount application on grounds that some of the voting materials presented had been tampered with, compromising the integrity of any recount.

Odonga said he is waiting for the official gazettement of Members of Parliament before filing a substantive election petition that could result in a re-election.

“I will file the petition on one ground—that I was denied a mandatory recount. Mandatory means mandatory,” he said. “Unfortunately, it will call for a re-election. I cannot ask court to declare me the winner.”

He added that while the respondent may appeal and continue earning parliamentary benefits, justice will eventually prevail.

“They may run, but they cannot hide. They may delay me, but they will not stop me,” Odonga said.

He also alleged that his defeat was partly influenced by opposition from the Balaalo community.