The Member of Parliament for Omoro County in Gulu, Simon Toolit Akecha, has filed a petition in the High Court seeking to nullify the election of his parliamentary replacement, Jacob Oulanya.
Oulanya, who served as Omoro County MP until 2006, defeated Toolit by a considerable margin in last month’s elections. Toolit, a member of the Forum for Democratic Change, says the elections were not free and fair and were rigged in Oulanya’s favor.
Toolit’s lawyer, Komakech Kilama, told Gulu High Court yesterday that his client will not be satisfied with the results until fresh elections are held.
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Additionally, Simon Toolit wants the Electoral Commission charged with election irregularities that led to ballot box stuffing, voter intimidation and the absence of transparency in the voting process.
Jacob Oulanya, who contested for the Omoro County elections on the National Resistance Movement ticket, beat Toolit with more than 1,000 votes. His rival says he has the evidence to prove that the entire process was rigged.
Shortly after the election, Toolit petitioned Gulu Chief Magistrate’s Court to recount the ballot papers. However the process was halted because the manner in which the ballot papers was stored had been compromised.
The Gulu High Court Registrar, Didas Muhumuza, has given Oulanya and the Electoral Commission 60 days to file their defense.
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