Petition against MP Orot dismissed

By Sam Ekadu

The High Court in Soroti has dismissed a petition filed against Kanyum County MP (Kumi) Ismael Orot.

The legislator was dragged to court by a fellow party member (NRM) Kevin Ikiror, whom he beat in the primaries.

But Ikiror's petition, filed on November 22, was dismissed on grounds that it was presented at a wrong time - way past the stipulated 30 days after an election, as by the Parliamentary Elections Act.

The petitioner was arguing that Orot was not validly elected into office, saying he lacked the required academic qualifications.

She had wanted court to declared his election null and void and call for fresh elections.

But Justice David Batema, handling the matter, dismissed the petition, observing that the rules and the laws the petitioners lawyers had quoted were of afterthought which do not apply to the instant petition.

In fact, he added, the petition was filed five months late.