A.G seeks more time in E.Africa case

Apr 09, 2007

THE Attorney General needs time to respond to a petition challenging the constitutionality of the procedure barring independent MPs from standing for the East African Legislative Assembly seats.

By Hillary Nsambu

THE Attorney General needs time to respond to a petition challenging the constitutionality of the procedure barring independent MPs from standing for the East African Legislative Assembly seats.

“The Attorney General needs time to reply the petition,” Margaret Nabakooza, a Senior State Attorney, told the Constitutional Court.

Jacob Oulanyah, a former MP, filed the petition seeking orders to compel the Government to enact new laws to regulate the election of MPs contesting for the assembly positions.

He claims the current Parliament exceeded its jurisdiction when it enacted provisions barring independent MPs from contesting for the East African Legislative Assembly seats.

Oulanyah, who was the chairman of the legal and parliamentary affairs committee in the seventh Parliament, contends that he was unconstitutionally prevented from contesting for the seats on grounds that he did not belong to a political party.
The former legislator also seeks court to order for fresh elections.

When the case came up for hearing, the court ordered the parties involved to form a scheduling conference to agree on the issues and the grounds for the matter before the hearing could start.

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