Poll petitions overwhelm Mbale High Court

The High Court in Mbale has received a total of 16 parliamentary election petitions challenging poll results from the three sub-regions of Elgon, Sebei, Bukedi.

Irene Muloni Nafuna, the minister for energy and mineral development, is among the petitioners.

In the Bulambuli district woman MP race in the February 18 elections, Muloni was defeated by Sarah Wekomba, an independent.

The minister's challenger beat her by more than 500 votes.

But through her lawayers, Muloni faults the Electoral Commission for allegedly wrongfully cancelling results from seven polling stations she considers her strongholds.

In her petition, she said there were as many as 2, 562 voters in affected polling stations, majority of whom she says are her supporters.

Muloni also claims the elections were marred by several irregularities, and cites intimidation and harassment of her supporters by Wekomba's.

She also says there was massive voter bribery, among others. She wants court to nullify the results of the election and order a fresh election.

Court is yet to fix the date of the hearing of the petitions.

Other petitions include that of John Mulimba against Gideon Onyanga, the MP-elect of Samia Bugwe North in Busia, Minister Stephen Chebrot against Kenneth Soiko of Tengei county in Kapchorwa, Godfrey Ekanya against Annet Nyakecho of Tororo county and Frank Kachuma against Godfrey MAcrho for Busia Municipality.

Others are John Sasaga Isiah against Vincent Webwoya of Budadiri West in Sironko, Godfrey Wairagara Kamba against Herbert Tom Kinobere of Kibuku county, Yusuf Mutembuli against Moses Nagwomo of Bunyole county in Butaleja, Peter Mahsate Magomu against Gashom Wambede of Bunghoko north in Mbale, Andrew Mauso against Minister Micheal Weirike of Bunghoko south in Mbale and Catherine Achola against Pallisa woman MP elect Agnes Amede among others.

The court is yet to allocate the judges to handle these petitions and fix the dates for the hearing in May.