Otada's poll petition hearing pushed to Friday

MASINDI - The election petitioned filed by former Kibanda North MP Sam Otada Amooti at Masindi High Court was on Monday adjourned until Friday June 10.

He filed a petition early this year against former President Idi Amin's son Taban Idi Amin Tampo and the Electoral Commission.

According to Otada, Amin's identity is questionable and therefore court needs to make a clear stand on it.

His petition also highlights cases of voter bribery, voter intimidation and ballot stuffing.

 "One identity reads Idi Amin Taban Tampo whose National ID I saw and happens to be a registered voter. He however has no academic qualifications. The other is Taban Idi Amin, who has academic papers, but is not a registered voter. Therefore, court will have to decide who this gentleman really is," Otada told reporters.

On his part, Taban said: "I can display my academic papers for anyone who wants to see. I don't see any difference between the two names. Anyways, I will wait for court to decide."

Otada insists that the Electoral Commission erred and nominated a wrong person in the first place.

Presided over by Lady Justice Elizabeth Nahamya, court heard from lawyer Caleb Alaka, who is representing the first respondent, that he needed time to file seven new affidavits.

He gave an explanation that he was involved in many election petitions countrywide and was short of time.

Asuman Nyonyintono, who is representing the petitioner, first objected to the idea, saying the respondents' side had been served with the affidavits on April 7, 2016.

Justice Nahamya however directed Alaka to file the seven affidavits by Tuesday June 7, 2016.