LC3 elections: What is behind low voter turnout in Kapelebyong?

Voting for Local Council III (LC3) chairpersons began quietly across Kapelebyong district on Wednesday, with many polling stations recording a noticeably slow voter response in the early hours.

Although polling officially opened at 7:00 am in all 139 polling stations across the district’s 11 sub-counties, several stations remained largely empty, with voters arriving sporadically rather than in the expected morning queues.

At Kapelebyong Primary School polling station in Pamba Cell, for instance, presiding officer Simon Peter Odeke linked the low turnout partly to confusion over voter allocation.

“Some voters have found their names appearing at polling stations far from where they reside. This mismatch could be one of the main reasons for the low participation we are witnessing," he said.

Odeke said LC3 elections often suffer from lower public interest, as many voters prioritise presidential, parliamentary, and LC5 contests, perceiving them as more influential.

“There is a general tendency to overlook LC3 elections, yet these leaders play a direct role in community governance and service delivery."

Despite the low voter turnout, security deployment was visibly strong across the district, with personnel stationed at polling centres to ensure a peaceful exercise.

Still at Kapelebyong Primary School polling station, Richards Odeng Elianu, the NRM flagbearer for the LC3 seat, cast his vote mid-morning, expressing confidence in the electoral process.

Elianu is competing against four other candidates: independents Joseph Abiar Igoa (the incumbent) and Samuel Aeku, Jona Isudo of the National Unity Platform (NUP), and Joseph Malinga of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT).

Speaking shortly after voting, the NRM candidate emphasised accountability and transparency as central to his campaign message.

“There has been a lot of extortion of money in this town council. If my people give me the opportunity today, they will see change. It’s time for steadfast leadership, not corruption."

Elianu previously served as LC3 chairperson of Kapelebyong sub-county from 1990 until 2000, before it was elevated to town council status. 

He said his experience positions him to “reclaim and restore effective leadership”.

Richards Odeng Elianu, the LC3 NRM flag bearer for Kapelebyong Town Council making a verification of his name to cast his vote at Kapelebyong Primary school Polling station today. (Credit: Alfred Atwau)

Potential hotspots

Kapelebyong resident district commissioner (RDC) Tom Olinga Otukol confirmed that adequate security had been deployed district-wide, with polling expected to close at 4:00 pm. 

Ballot papers will then be transported to the district headquarters for tallying.

Olinga said security agencies had identified several potential hotspots, including Acowa town council, Acowa sub-county, Obalanga sub-county and town council, and Kapelebyong sub-county and town council.

“Security teams are on the ground and ready to respond swiftly to any incident,” he assured.

Subdued civic mood

Despite the calm environment and organized polling arrangements, the thin voter presence painted a picture of subdued civic engagement in the district.

Observers said the situation raises broader questions about voter awareness, civic education, and the perceived importance of local governance elections, even though LC3 leaders play a central role in overseeing service delivery, local development planning, and community dispute resolution.

As voting continued through the afternoon, election officials hoped turnout would improve in the course of the day.