Apac, (UG):-The newly appointed five members of the Electoral Commission under the Lango Cultural Foundation who were recently sworn in to spearhead the election of a new Won-Nyaci in November have been rallied to be independent in their work.
The five-member commission Col. Rt. Dan Opito Odwe, deputised by Patrick Denis Okwir alias Jaramogi. Other members are Tony Ongar as the secretary, Molly Akello and Charles Ojok as members.
In his remark, the paramount chief of Lango, Mzee Yosam Odur Ebii, rallied members of the Electoral Commission to do work that promotes peace during and after the election of a new Won Nyaci.
Col. Rt. Dan Opito Odwe, greets the paramount chief of Lango, Mzee Yosam Odur Ebii after swearing .jpg
Similarly, the Lango Cultural Foundation Prime Minister James Robert Ajal appealed to them to conduct a free and fair election.
“My message to the members of the EC is that they have several times been told to be independent. Manage that election fairly to everybody but good for the nation of Lango. Because Lango will benefit from this election as the people will own the Wonyasi they have elected.”
The commission chairman Col. Rt. Dan Opito Odwe, assured Lango of their firm commitment to execute the constitutional mandate of Lango Cultural Foundation transparently in conducting the free and fair election of Won Nyaci.
Patrick Denis Okwir alias Jaramogi the deputy chairperson of the Electoral Commission believe they are going to perform this responsibility because this is an honest
“It is a legal responsibility that we have been assigned. The law speaks for itself and I know we are going to conduct this and I know the people of Lango are going to support us and listen to us and that is our purpose and the purpose we are going to discharge up to the latter,” Okwir said.
Meanwhile, the Lango Cultural Foundation during a special council meeting convened by Prime Minister Robert Ajal on Wednesday elected as speaker and Wasio Dickens Odongo, as his deputy.
“We elected a new speaker. We had a speaker, Mr Dila Benson but since he handled the last council meeting in March this year, we have been calling him to call the council meeting. He has never called one and the council cannot do business without a speaker,” Ajal Explained
Robert Ajal in the same event maintained that all Lango aged 18 and above shall be given the chance and right to vote for whomever he or she wishes should be the paramount chief of Lango in what he termed as adult surface voting.
Laury Ocen was absent at the time of the election but sent an apology. His deputy was sworn in and later took charge of the special council meeting.
Laury later told DailyExpress that one of the gaps that Lango Cultural Foundation had was not having a functioning office for the speaker.
“Definitely, I accept the challenge of being the speaker of the Land Cultural Foundation,” Ocen said.
He added; “I take it as a challenge that is going to help galvanize the unity of the clan leaders and the going to be an office that will mobilize the clan leaders through council meetings and through different mobilization efforts meant to ensure that the roadmap is implemented to the dot.”
When responding to the election of the new speaker of Lango Cultural Foundation, Benson Dila, the then-speaker said he was not informed about the council meeting on Wednesday 17th July 2024.
He however regretted the election of a new speaker since that would give him much time to lead his clan Orupu dag-anyar with ease.
Legal Advice at the Event
The Layer for Lango Cultural Foundation, Emmanuel Egaro Omiat urged the People of Lango and the general public to respect the rule of law and comply with court orders.
He said they are in court because the other faction is not respecting the law in place.
Egaro also explained that Lango Cultural Foundation will heed to the recent court advice that the two factions go for mediation. “It’s okay with us for mediation but this would be a good alternative if done lawfully by all parties,” Egaro said.
The activities of the then Lango EC chaired by Tom Otim were in last December suspended for failure to appear before and follow the law governing elections in Lango Cultural Foundation.
But in the twist of the event, on 1st March 2024, the disbanded members of the EC conducted an election in which Eng Moses Michael Odongo Okune garnered 1,692 votes against his only opponent Dan Okello who got 139 votes. Odongo was then declared Won Nyaci- elect and preparations are underway to have him enthroned in November.
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