Court dismisses MP Otaala's bid for West Budama South vote recount

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The Tororo Magistrate’s Court has dismissed a vote recount application filed by outgoing West Budama County South MP Dr Emmanuel Otaala.

In her ruling on Thursday (January 29), Chief Magistrate Irene Nambatya rejected Otaala’s petition against George Okecho for a recount of votes in Osia subcounty, ruling that the application lacked merit.

Otaala lost to Okecho in the January 15 parliamentary elections after garnering 11,788 votes against Okecho’s 12,015.

In his application, Otaala sought a recount in eight polling stations in Osia, the home subcounty of Okecho, alleging ballot stuffing, alteration of results, intimidation of voters and agents, among other irregularities.

George Okecho

He also requested scrutiny of ballot boxes in Osia subcounty, claiming that the number of votes cast in favour of Okecho exceeded the number of registered voters.

However, in her ruling, the Chief Magistrate said the court could not be compelled to engage in what she termed a vote-hunting exercise by scrutinising and recounting ballot boxes across the entire Osia subcounty.

Nambatya further said the court was unable to untangle the numerical questions raised by Otaala in his application, leading to its dismissal with costs.

Otaala welcomed the ruling but protested the decision, saying he would file a substantive application in the High Court once Okecho is gazetted.

He said he would not relent until justice is obtained for the people of West Budama County South.

Meanwhile, Okecho expressed excitement over the ruling, saying justice had finally been served.

Okecho dedicated the court victory to his voters in West Budama County South and thanked his lawyers for ensuring that the will of the electorate was upheld.

He pledged to serve his constituents to the best of his ability once he takes up his seat in Parliament.