Besigye Files Petition Today

Mar 22, 2001

FORMER presidential candidate Col. Kizza Besigye is today expected to file a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the March 12 elections results, write Vision Reporters.

FORMER presidential candidate Col. Kizza Besigye is today expected to file a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the March 12 elections results, write Vision Reporters. President Museveni won race with 69.3% against Besigye's 28.7%. "It will be filed before the end of the day (today)," said Anne Mugisha, his publicist. She said they had received hundreds of affidavits from all parts of the country on election malpractices. Besigye's lawyer, Joseph Balikuddembe, yesterday said he was still preparing evidence and documents required by the court. He said they would comply with the statutory 10-day period within which a petition must be filed. Besigye on March 14 rejected the results released by the Electoral Commission and called for a fresh poll. He said he was petitioning the Supreme Court to nullify the results. He cited malpractices that marred the process before and during polling. The law requires an aggrieved candidate to file the petition within 10 days from the date the results were announced on March 14. The 10 days elapse on March 24. Civil proceedings procedures state that if a day falls on a weekend, technically the petition would have to be filed on the next working day. The latest date for filing the petition will therefore be on March 26. The Supreme Court shall inquire into the petition and declare its findings not later than 30 days from the date of petitioning. The court will begin hearing civil cases in April but if the petition is filed, it takes precedence. A constitutional lawyer, who declined to be named, said the case was a non-starter. "In my view, the petition is not necessary. We should leave the case to be decided by the people because the people's court cannot be defeated," he said. But Mbarara Municipality MP Winnie Byanyima last week said although many Ugandans were cynical about the petition, the court process would give an opportunity to "reveal the scale of rigging to all Ugandans." She said there was evidence of massive rigging in areas where Besigye had considerable support. Winnie said the current threats and intimidation of Besigye's supporters was intended to frustrate the court process. "This harassment and plot to frame Besigye is not just his fate alone. Many supporters are facing threats and false accusations." She called upon donors to follow the court process in order to make their final assessment. She said the petition would test courts defence of democracy in Uganda. Ends

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