Ssekandi wins polls petition
Aug 16, 2006
THE High court in Masaka yesterday dismissed an election petition against Speaker Edward Ssekandi on grounds that he was not served with notice.
By Dismus Buregyeya
THE High court in Masaka yesterday dismissed an election petition against Speaker Edward Ssekandi on grounds that he was not served with notice.
The Democratic Party’s candidate for Bukoto Central, Jude Mbabaali, petitioned court protesting against malpractices he said marred the elections.
Mbabaali, through lukwago and Company Advocates, claimed ssekandi and the electoral commission stuffed ballots, bribed and intimidated voters.
High Court Judge P. M. Mugamba said Ssekandi was not party to the case since he was not served by the petitioner. Mugamba said the petitioner is supposed to notify the respondent within seven days after filing the petition.
He, however, said the electoral commission would still have to answer charges filed against it.
Meanwhile, Mbabaali has protested against the decision, saying Ssekandi was properly served by Frank Owere.
In his affidavit, Owere said he served Ssekandi in his chambers at Agip building in Kampala upon the advice of Mbabaali’s counsel, Erias Lukwago.
Owere said he served Ssekandi’s secretary.
THE High court in Masaka yesterday dismissed an election petition against Speaker Edward Ssekandi on grounds that he was not served with notice.
The Democratic Party’s candidate for Bukoto Central, Jude Mbabaali, petitioned court protesting against malpractices he said marred the elections.
Mbabaali, through lukwago and Company Advocates, claimed ssekandi and the electoral commission stuffed ballots, bribed and intimidated voters.
High Court Judge P. M. Mugamba said Ssekandi was not party to the case since he was not served by the petitioner. Mugamba said the petitioner is supposed to notify the respondent within seven days after filing the petition.
He, however, said the electoral commission would still have to answer charges filed against it.
Meanwhile, Mbabaali has protested against the decision, saying Ssekandi was properly served by Frank Owere.
In his affidavit, Owere said he served Ssekandi in his chambers at Agip building in Kampala upon the advice of Mbabaali’s counsel, Erias Lukwago.
Owere said he served Ssekandi’s secretary.