By Nathan Eyagu
Soroti High Court has today 31st August 2021 nullified the Election of the FDC’s party flag bearer Moses Okia Attan as the MP of Soroti City East that was challenged by his rival, Herbert Edmund Ariko who lost in the January polls.
In her ruling, Lady Justice Anne Mugengyi ruled that fresh elections be conducted in Soroti City East after revealing the following;
There was no valid election in Soroti City East for a directly elected Member of Parliament as required by law.
The election which was conducted was illegal as the declaration of the 1st respondent (Attan) as a directly elected Member of Parliament by the 2nd respondent (E.C) is annulled and a fresh election to be conducted by the 2nd respondent (E.C) in a legally constituted constituency.
In her ruling, she also added that the 1st respondent was not validly elected as a Member of Parliament and costs awarded to the Petitioner and payable by both respondents.
Ariko who was being represented by Robert Kirunda claimed that there was election malpractice while Attan was being represented by Julius Galisonga and Michel Omondi.
This is the first election petition ruling out of the nine petitions lodged at Soroti High court.
During the tight contest, about six candidates picked interest and this included Attan Moses, Ariko Herbert Edmund(Ind), Jimmy Ekemu (NRM), Sarah Inachu (Ind), James Herbert Elaju (UPC), and Arnold Emachu (NUP).
By press time, Attan said he will consult his legal on the next move.
