By KT Reporter
Busia District LCV Chairman, Stephen Mugeni Wasike, has petitioned the Electoral Commission (EC) demanding the disqualification of five of his fellow contestants from the upcoming Local Council (LCV) elections.
A total of six candidates were cleared by the EC to contest for the Busia LCV seat. They include incumbent Stephen Mugeni Wasike of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Geoffrey Wandera of the National Unity Platform (NUP), and Ajuma Nabwera of the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM). Others are independents Mangeni Sam Okumu, John Charles Namayindi, and Sireka Peter Namalwa.
According to the Parliamentary Elections Act 2005, Section 15 (A) and (B), any voter has seven days after nominations to cross-check the nomination papers of candidates and lodge a complaint with the EC challenging any illegal nomination.
In his petition, Mugeni claims to have scrutinized the nomination documents of his rivals and found irregularities. He alleges that Mangeni Sam Okumu’s academic documents bear two different names, suggesting two separate individuals were nominated.
He further claims that Geoffrey Wandera, John Charles Namayindi, and Sireka Peter Namalwa failed to raise the required 700 signatures of registered voters, while Ajuma Nabwera did not provide a commission of oath.
Mugeni argues that the five contestants should be disqualified for failing to meet the EC requirements.
In response, Mangeni Sam Okumu, one of the accused contestants, dismissed Mugeni’s petition, saying the incumbent should not panic over competition. He insisted it is up to the EC to decide on the matter.
Meanwhile, Julius Mucunguzi, the EC spokesperson, confirmed that the commission will set a date for the hearing of the petition, during which both parties will be invited to present their cases before a decision is made.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
