A tribunal set up by the ruling National Resistance Movement to look into petitions arising out of the September 4 party primaries has overturned the election of Iddi Lubyayi Kisiki as the party flagbearer for Bukomansimbi North Constituency.
In the September, 4 party polls, Kisiki was declared winner as Ruth Katushabe came second, prompting her to petition the electoral commission over incidents of violence and other forms of irregularities including vote rigging.
On Saturday, the tribunal reasoned with Katushabe that the election was not free and fair noting that Lubyayi had wrongfully been declared the winner.
“It is therefore our conclusion that the petition against the respondent succeeds. The respondent(Lubyayi) was wrongfully declared as the winner for the Member of Parliament flagbearer for Bukomansimbi North Constituency in Bukomansimbi district,” the tribunal ruled.
“We hereby declare that the petitioner (Ruth Katushabe) is the candidate who correctly won this election with 9085 votes against Idi Lubyayi Kisiki’s votes and will therefore be nominated as such to contest as NRM flag bearer for Bukomansimbi North Constituency.”
The NRM electoral commission received over 400 petitions following an election marred with several incidents of violence, ferrying of voters, voter bribery and intimidation of both candidates and voters.
A team of 14 party lawyers was appointed to handle the petitions.
“Each of the lawyers will be holding a hearing where each party will present its case. The lawyers will then make recommendations to the electoral commission which will make a final decision on whether to cancel the results or carry out a fresh tallying process,” Oscar Kihiika, the NRM legal director said recently.
