The National Resistance Movement (NRM) tribunal has nullified the election of Collins Tanga, son of the /party's Electoral Commission boss Tanga Odoi, as Chairperson of the NRM Youth League.
Collins was found to have benefited from gross irregularities and non-compliance with electoral regulations.
The ruling, anchored on Regulation 45(6), noted that the election process was tainted with tallying errors and unreliable records, making it impossible to declare any candidate duly elected.
The tribunal emphasized that the only proper remedy was to cancel the disputed results and direct a fresh poll conducted in full compliance with the NRM Constitution, Election Regulations, and Polling Day Guidelines.
In its findings, the tribunal stressed that Tanga Odoi, the father of the nullified winner, must not preside over or participate in the conduct of the repeat election.
Instead, the other members of the NRM Electoral Commission will oversee the process to restore confidence among stakeholders.
The tribunal issued the following directives:
- The declaration of Collins Tanga as Chairperson of the NRM Youth League is nullified.
- The NRM Electoral Commission must conduct a fresh election in strict adherence to party laws and electoral guidelines.
- Dr. Tanga Odoi is barred from presiding over or taking part in any capacity during the fresh election.
The ruling was endorsed by tribunal members Diana Kasabiti and Esau Isingoma, with John Musiime serving as panel head.
It was issued in Kampala under the seal of the Electoral Disputes Tribunal.
On August 27, Collins Tanga was declared the winner of the NRM Youth League elections after scoring 1,567 votes to defeat Brenda Kiconco, who polled 1,355.
He was declared winner by his father, Dr. Tanga Odoi, the NRM Electoral Commission chairperson.
His election nullification is a significant blow to the NRM leadership, as it raises questions of transparency and fairness within the ruling party’s internal elections.
Analysts note that excluding Tanga Odoi from the process is an extraordinary move aimed at insulating the rerun from allegations of conflict of interest.
The NRM Youth League election is a crucial process in shaping the party’s future leadership and mobilization structures.
The nullification now means the ruling party will have to head back to the polls, under tighter scrutiny, to elect a new Youth League chairperson.
