With a few hours left to Thursday’s Parliamentary by election in Toroma County, in Katakwi district, police and the UPDF have deployed heavily in various parts of the constituency.
The police says however that the deployment is not meant to scare the locals but to prevent election malpractices.
The East Kyoga police spokesman AIP Michael Odongo while speaking to this website on phone said, the deployment in Toroma is not meant to intimidate people from voting a person of their choice nor forcing them to vote for a specific Candidate.
Odongo said that like any other elections, police have a primary responsibility of providing security to avert malpractices.
“If police doesn’t deploy in Toroma, then free and fair elections can’t be achieved. So people should be shaken”, He said.
Odongo revealed that they have so far received backup from neighboring districts of Mbale and Lira.
At least Seven Candidates are facing off in the race and they are; Martin Odaka Omedo (FDC), Joseph Andrew Koluo (NRM), Andrew Omiat (UPC), and four independents which include Solomon Osiya,John Robert Ekongot, Patrick Imalingat and Stephen Ariko.
Daniel Othieno the Katakwi district Electoral Commission Returning officer while speaking to us said everything is set for the big day. He went on to warn candidates to desist from malpractices.
Yesterday while addressing to parallel rallies in Toroma County President Museveni asked voters to vote wisely.
Museveni told voters never to fear any kind of security personnel who may want to interfere with their Democratic right, saying they should vote for leaders of their choice.