Soroti: High Court nullifies FDC's Moses Attan victory

By John Ogulei

The High court in Soroti has nullified the election of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party flag bearer Moses Okia Attan as MP for Soroti City East.

This is the first election petition ruling of the nine petitions lodged at Soroti high court.

Attan's victory was challenged by his rival Herbert Edmund Ariko who lost in the January polls.

Ariko claimed that there were election malpractices and voter disenfranchisement.

Ariko was being represented by Robert Kirunda while Attan was represented by Julius Galisonga and Machel Omondi.

Attan defeated Ariko with a margin of 419 votes.

In her ruling lady Justice Anne Mugengyi ruled that fresh elections be conducted in Soroti City East as there was overwhelming evidence of election malpractices.

Court awarded costs to the petitioner, payable by both respondents.

The contest attracted six candidates. Attan obtained 7,606 votes, Ariko 7,164, Jimmy Ekemu (NRM) 397, Sarah Inachu (Ind) 185, James Herbert Elaju (UPC) 99 and Arnold Emachu (NUP) 86 votes.

Attan said that he will consult his legal team for further action.