By John Ogulei
SOROTI CITY
The High Court in Soroti has today 31st August 2021 nullified the Election of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party flag bearer Moses Okia Attan as MP Soroti City East.
This is the first election petition ruling of the nine petitions lodged at Soroti High court.
Attan’s victory was challenged by his rival, Herbert Edmund Ariko who lost to Attan in the January polls.
Ariko claimed that there was election malpractice and voter disenfranchisement.
Ariko was being represented by Robert Kirunda while Attan was being represented by Julius Galisonga and Machel Omondi.
Attan defeated Ariko with 419 votes.
In her ruling, Lady Justice Anne Mugengyi ruled that fresh elections be conducted in Soroti City East. She revealed that there was no valid election in Soroti City East for a directly elected Member of Parliament.
She also argued that Court relied on evidence that the election was conducted illegally and the 1st respondent (Attan) was not validly elected as Member of Parliament.
She further added that the declaration of the Attan as a directly elected Member of Parliament by the Electoral Commission (2nd Respondent) is annulled and a fresh election be conducted by the Electoral Commission.
Court also awarded costs to the petitioner payable by the two Respondents (Attan and the EC).
The contest attracted six candidates that included Attan who obtained 7,606 votes, Ariko 7,164, Jimmy Ekemu (NRM) 397, Sarah Inachu (Ind) 185, James Herbert Elaju (UPC) 99 and Arnold Emachu (NUP) 86 votes.
Speaking to this reporter, Attan said he will consult his legal team for further instructions.
