Lydia Wanyoto Mutende,
the former National Resistance Movement party Mbale City Woman parliamentary
candidate has petitioned the high court challenging the victory of her rival and
incumbent Mbale Woman Member of parliament, Connie Nakayenze Galiwango.
Through her lawyer, N.
Mugoda Advocates, Springs Advocates and Mugabi, Shyako and Company Advocates, Wanyoto accuses the Electoral Commission of
failure to conduct a free and fair election.
She claims that EC,
which is the first respondent to the suit neglected to secure and safely transmit the
electoral materials from the polling stations, which gave change to Nakayenze
and her agents to tamper with the material especially in the Northern City
Division.
She also contends that contrary to Article 61, 62 of the
Constitution, section 13 of the Electoral Commission Act, Section 50, 51 and 57
of the Parliamentary Elections Act, 2005, the first respondent neglected to
secure the tally center and ensure the tallying is conducted in a free and fair
manner.
Wanyoto’s lead lawyer,
Eddie Nangulu, told
journalists shortly filing their petition at Mbale High court that they have
gathered sufficient evidence they intend to prove their case.
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Wanyoto asked the court to exercise justice and nullify Nakayenze’s victory or
order a voter recount. Nakayenze trounced Wanyoto after garnering 40,500 votes
against 25,700 votes. The MP-elect
declined to comment on the matter, saying she will do so after being served
with the court papers.
Weswa Ronnie
Freelancer
AYUBU KIRINYA