The Electoral Commission (EC) has ordered a fresh election in 18 polling stations in Ajuri County, Alebtong District, after complaints of vote rigging, missing ballot materials, and tallying inconsistencies threw the 2026 parliamentary race into chaos.
The affected polling stations are in Awei Sub-county, where one of the contenders challenged the results, insisting that the figures announced did not match those recorded on official declaration forms at polling stations.
The fiercely contested Ajuri County race features five candidates battling for a seat in the 12th Parliament : incumbent Denis Hamson Obua (NRM), Fred Jalameso (UPC), Emmanuel Ongom Okwel (FDC), and independents Stephen Omara and Jasper Molo.
Ajuri County has 178 polling stations, but the EC received results from only 160 stations. Preliminary tallies placed Jalameso in the lead with 14,321 votes (44.5%), followed closely by Obua with 12,963 votes (40.25%).
Okwel polled 2,848 votes (8.84%), Molo got 1,558 votes (4.84%), while Omara secured 507 votes (1.57%).
Earlier in the day, the EC led by regional elections officer Jackson Igenyi Babirye conducted a full recount of votes in Awei Sub-county after Jalameso filed a formal complaint.
According to Jalameso, the results announced earlier differed from polling station declaration forms, and in some disputed stations, votes attributed to Obua allegedly exceeded the number of registered voters.
During the recount, the Commission reportedly made a shocking discovery — some ballot boxes expected to contain election materials were completely empty. This prompted the EC to nullify results from the affected polling stations and order a fresh vote.
Meanwhile, results for Moroto County and the Alebtong District Woman MP seat were declared without incident. However, Jalameso has rejected the decision to hold a re-election, citing financial constraints and alleging hidden interests protecting the incumbent.
“This is something we are not accepting. The Electoral Commission must ask all candidates to present their declaration forms,” Jalameso said.
He further claimed the process was being influenced to favor certain individuals.
“In other areas, results are declared once three-quarters of polling stations report. But here, it appears someone’s interests are being protected,” he argued.
The EC has scheduled the fresh election for January 27, 2026 in the affected polling stations.