Patongo town council issues stern warning over defacement of campaign posters

18 June 2025, 9:46 AM

By David Ojok Jr.

As political consultations intensify ahead of the 2026 general elections, Patongo town council authorities have sounded a stern warning to residents and political actors involved in the defacing, tearing, or overlapping of campaign posters.

The council has decried the rising cases of individuals destroying opponents’ posters or sticking new ones on top of others, acts that violate the Parliamentary Elections Act and the Presidential Elections Act of 2005 among others.

Hon. Komakech Joseph, Chairperson Urban Council III, Patongo town council said that anyone caught in the act will face the full wrath of the law. According to him, such behavior is not only unlawful but goes against the democratic values that they as leaders are working to uphold.

Bosco Bob, a resident of Oporot ward in Patongo town council, expressed concern over the trend, calling it a sign of hatred and disrespect for the electoral process. He contends that tearing a poster does not win votes but shows how far people are from embracing democracy.

Personal assistants to candidates contesting for top political positions who preferred anonymity have also weighed in, citing the high cost of reprinting campaign posters and the demoralising impact of the vandalism.

Patongo town council now urges all political actors to respect each other’s campaign space and materials.

Meanwhile, AIP Oyet Francis, the community liaison officer at Patongo Central Police Station also aired the same sentiments encouraging residents to report any acts of poster defacement or related misconduct to the nearest local authorities or the town council office stressing that poster destruction is a crime, not a campaign strategy