Kidega Retains Bardege Cell LC1 Seat in Landslide Victory

Kidega Retains Bardege Cell LC1 Seat in Landslide Victory 

Kitara Daniel Tolit|Kit Media Link 

PANDWONG DIVISION – Incumbent Local Council I Chairperson Kidega Richard has retained the Bardege Cell seat in a resounding victory after polling 267 votes against two (2) votes for his sole challenger, Onen Geoffrey, popularly known as Opeta, in a repeat election conducted on Wednesday.

The fresh poll was organised after the earlier election was nullified by electoral officials over irregularities that affected the credibility of the initial exercise, prompting authorities to order a new vote.

The outcome leaves no doubt about the confidence residents have in Kidega's leadership, with voters overwhelmingly renewing his mandate for another term at the helm of Bardege Cell.

Speaking shortly after being declared the winner, an emotional Kidega thanked the electorate for the trust they had once again placed in him, describing the victory as a collective achievement for the entire community.

"I am deeply grateful to the people of Bardege Cell for believing in my leadership once again. This victory belongs to every resident who came out to exercise their democratic right. I remain committed to serving all the people without discrimination and to working for the continued development, peace and unity of our community," he said.

Kidega also acknowledged his opponent for taking part in the election, saying political competition strengthens democracy at the grassroots level, even if he was denied the NRM Flag in favor of his opponent. 

Although his challenger reportedly left the polling area before the final declaration of results, Kidega urged residents to remain united and work together regardless of their political choices.

The announcement of the results sparked celebrations across parts of Bardege Cell as supporters gathered to congratulate the re-elected chairperson. Many residents described the outcome as a clear reflection of the people's confidence in his leadership and expressed optimism that his new term would accelerate community development and improve service delivery.

The repeat election was conducted peacefully under the supervision of electoral officials, bringing to a close the uncertainty that followed the cancellation of the earlier poll. The successful conclusion of the exercise was welcomed by residents, who praised the peaceful conduct of both voters and candidates throughout the electoral process.