Uganda's Electoral Commission announced it will wait for higher court decisions before organizing new parliamentary elections. Officials require formal notification from the Clerk of Parliament that the Kawempe North seat remains vacant. The commission wants the Court of Appeal judges to review the contested election case first. EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi said his team studies the recent court ruling carefully. They must follow legal procedures before scheduling another voting day.
High Court Judge Bernard Namanya canceled Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola's election victory after hearing complaints. The National Unity Platform candidate had won 17,939 votes against ten other candidates during the March voting. Faridah Nambi from the ruling National Resistance Movement received 9,058 votes and came second. She challenged Nalukoola's win because the election broke parliamentary voting laws. The judge found that 16,640 citizens were ineligible to vote, and Nalukoola campaigned on election day.
Mucunguzi confirmed that his office had received the court decision, and lawyers would examine it for possible appeals. Any party dissatisfied with the decision has thirty days, starting May 26, to file an appeal with the higher courts. Nalukoola already announced through his legal team that he will challenge the ruling. The Electoral Commission waits to see if other parties also plan court appeals. Appeal courts must hear all cases before new elections can happen.
Parliament's clerk must officially tell the Electoral Commission about empty seats before voting begins. Legal rules require written notification within ten days after court decisions create parliamentary vacancies. The commission has sixty days to organize by-elections once it receives vacancy notices.
High Court Judge Bernard Namanya canceled Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola's election victory after hearing complaints. The National Unity Platform candidate had won 17,939 votes against ten other candidates during the March voting. Faridah Nambi from the ruling National Resistance Movement received 9,058 votes and came second. She challenged Nalukoola's win because the election broke parliamentary voting laws. The judge found that 16,640 citizens were ineligible to vote, and Nalukoola campaigned on election day.
Mucunguzi confirmed that his office had received the court decision, and lawyers would examine it for possible appeals. Any party dissatisfied with the decision has thirty days, starting May 26, to file an appeal with the higher courts. Nalukoola already announced through his legal team that he will challenge the ruling. The Electoral Commission waits to see if other parties also plan court appeals. Appeal courts must hear all cases before new elections can happen.
Parliament's clerk must officially tell the Electoral Commission about empty seats before voting begins. Legal rules require written notification within ten days after court decisions create parliamentary vacancies. The commission has sixty days to organize by-elections once it receives vacancy notices.
