Allegations of voter misinformation have been reported in the community, prompting the Commission to take action.
The Electoral Commission has taken steps to address concerns and allegations, including: a statements to clarify the polling process, Providing accurate information to voters, Ensuring the integrity of the electoral processes among many more.
Speaking to media on Tuesday, the electoral commission returning officer for Dokolo District, Moses Otim, clarified that politicians and voters alike on the dos and don’ts during the 2026-31 polling days.
Otim emphasized the importance of adhering to the electoral laws and guidelines to ensure a peaceful and transparent voting process.
According to Otim, on polling day, voter verification will be done first, before the issuance of ballot papers by the presiding officer after scanning.
He urged voters not to fall prey to false claims and rumors being spread by some politicians, including allegations that cameras will be installed at polling stations to monitor voters.
Otim also addressed claims that some politicians are planning to bring in voters from other districts to vote in Dokolo.
He clarified that voters will only be able to vote after verification, and that only registered voters in Dokolo will be able to cast their ballots.
On allegation that some politicians are collecting voter allocation slips from voters for unknown reasons, Otim warned politicians against collecting voter allocation slips from voters, saying that this is against the law.
He urged victims to report such incidents to the police for further action.
The Returning Officer also addressed concerns about the voting process for disabled voters.
He clarified that disabled persons are allowed to bring a trusted person of their choice to assist them in voting, as required by law. However, the electoral commission team and polling agent is not allowed to guide disabled voters.
The warning by Otim comes amid reports of politicians spreading false information and intimidating voters in Dokolo District.
Recently, Bosco Owida, the UPC vice chairperson for Dokolo district , complained that other politicians are threatening to use their team to guide voters who will pretend to be knowing nothing so that they vote against the UPC candidate.
Owida also alleged that some politicians are misleading voters that voters will be kept a day before voting so that they are able to vote for a particular politician, and that they will be given a hand hoe and saucepan after.
Dokolo district has a total of 252 polling stations with over 90,000 registered voters.
The Electoral Commission has urged all stakeholders to remain calm and to follow the electoral laws and guidelines to ensure a peaceful and transparent voting process.
Efforts to get comments from FDC and NRM party leaderships for Dokolo district to find out whether their party flag bearers are also facing the same challenges were unsuccessful by press time.
The Electoral Commission has assured the public that it will do everything in its power to ensure that the voting process in Dokolo District is conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
