Besigye Lawyer Prepares Appeal

FORMER presidential candidate Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye has begun filing a petition challenging the result of the March 12 presidential elections, reports Juliet Nankinga. A Kampala advocate, Joseph Balikuddembe, yesterday said he had received instructions from Besigye to file a petition challenging the results. Balikuddembe told The New Vision that he was to file the petition within 10 days from the date the results were announced. He said they were researching on how to go about the petition. The law provides that "any aggrieved candidate may petition the Supreme Court for an order that a declared candidate elected as President was not validly elected." Besigye, who came second with 28.7% of the votes cast, on Wednesday rejected the results of the just concluded elections and called for a fresh poll. He said he was petitioning the the court to nullify the results which gave President Yoweri Museveni 69.3% of the vote. Besigye cited malpractices that marred the process before and during polling. The Supreme Court shall inquire into the petition and declare its findings not later than 30 days from the date of petitioning. Ends