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Edopu retains Dakabela seat after High Court dismisses petition
Anyimo challenged the results, citing discrepancies in declaration of results forms, ballot paper accountability, alleged irregularities in the tallying process and suspected forgery of signatures and entries on some electoral documents.
Edopu retains Dakabela seat after High Court dismisses petition
By: Elizabeth Akiror, Journalist @New Vision
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The High Court in Soroti has dismissed an election petition filed by Harriet Anyimo challenging the election of Peter Edeku Edopu as Member of Parliament for Dakabela County in Soroti district.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday (November 12), acting judge Dr Ginamia Melody Ngwatu ruled that Anyimo failed to prove that the alleged electoral irregularities substantially affected the election results or that the election violated electoral laws.
The Electoral Commission declared Edopu the winner of the January 15, 2026, parliamentary election with 9,588 votes, against Anyimo's 8,180, giving him a winning margin of 1,408 votes.
Anyimo challenged the results, citing discrepancies in declaration of results forms, ballot paper accountability, alleged irregularities in the tallying process and suspected forgery of signatures and entries on some electoral documents.
However, the court found that although some forms contained numerical errors and incomplete entries, the petitioner had not demonstrated that the irregularities changed the votes awarded to the candidates or substantially affected the final outcome.
The judge also questioned the reliability of the forensic report presented by Anyimo, noting that the examination was based on photocopies of declaration of results forms rather than certified copies or original documents.
Anyimo challenged the results, citing discrepancies in declaration of results forms, ballot paper accountability, alleged irregularities in the tallying process and suspected forgery of signatures and entries on some electoral documents.
However, the court found that although some forms contained numerical errors and incomplete entries, the petitioner had not demonstrated that the irregularities changed the votes awarded to the candidates or substantially affected the final outcome.
The judge also questioned the reliability of the forensic report presented by Anyimo, noting that the examination was based on photocopies of declaration of results forms rather than certified copies or original documents.
The report also lacked independent handwriting samples to establish who had allegedly made the disputed entries.
The court further found insufficient evidence to prove that Edopu or his agents had committed electoral offences or illegal practices with his knowledge, consent or approval.
The judge also struck out Edopu's answer to the petition after finding that it had been filed outside the statutory 10-day period following service. However, the court proceeded to determine the petition on its merits against the Electoral Commission and dismissed it.
The court upheld Edopu's election as valid and ordered Anyimo to pay the costs of the petition to the Electoral Commission.
The court further found insufficient evidence to prove that Edopu or his agents had committed electoral offences or illegal practices with his knowledge, consent or approval.
The judge also struck out Edopu's answer to the petition after finding that it had been filed outside the statutory 10-day period following service. However, the court proceeded to determine the petition on its merits against the Electoral Commission and dismissed it.
The court upheld Edopu's election as valid and ordered Anyimo to pay the costs of the petition to the Electoral Commission.