By John Ogulei
SOROTI CITY
The High Court sitting in Soroti has upheld the election of Toroma County Member of Parliament.
Joseph Andrew Koluo’s (independent) victory was upheld yesterday 6th September 2021 by Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga who argued that the petition by Solomon Ossiya had collapsed.
While delivering her ruling on Monday Afternoon, Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga ruled that the petition be struck out and awarded costs to the respondents.
“In circumstances of this case, I find it moot to proceed with analyzing evidence in support of a petition that has collapsed. The striking out of the petition, automatically renders all the evidence in support irrelevant,” Justice Okuo ruled.
Kolou’s victory was challenged by Solomon Ossiya (NRM) after he was declared victor with 9,179 votes against Osiya’s 8,013 votes.
In his petition, Ossiya claimed that the elections were not conducted in accordance with principle and provisions laid down by the electoral laws and this affected the outcome in a substantial manner.
Ossiya also faulted the Electoral Commission for failure to conduct free and fair elections contending that there were illegal practices and offences committed in connection to the election of the preferred candidate.
He had also claimed that during the election circle, there was a lot of voter bribery, undue influence, sectarianism and defamation arguing that this affected the outcome of the elections.
He had therefore in his petition sought an order for the annulment or setting aside the elections and a declaration that he was a rightful winner of the elections or in an alternative conduct fresh elections.
Ossiya (Petitioner) was represented by Davis Ngode and Okello Arthur, Koluo by John Byamukama while the Electoral Commission was jointly represented by Paul Wateka and Gilda Katutu.
