The High Court in Masaka has confirmed Junior Local Government Minister Justine Nameere as the duly Elected Member of Parliament of Masaka City following a petition filed by her opponent Rose Nalubowa.
In a ruling delivered via email by Justice Benard Namanya, court ruled in favor of Minister Nameere who was declared winner after a vote recount sanctioned by president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Nalubowa had won the election and was declared by the Electoral Commission in Masaka City but Namere petitioned Court for a recount. Despite finding ballot boxes with broken seals, some boxes with only votes in favor of Nameere, the recount went ahead and Nameere took the day and gazetted.
In his ruling, Justice Benard Namanya indicated that the Nalubowa failed to prove that the recount affected the final result of the election.
“In conclusion, although the recount was conducted in non-compliance with the electoral law after the integrity of several electoral materials had been compromised, the petitioner Nalubowa Rose did not prove that the recount figures certified by the Chief Magistrate were erroneous. The petitioner further failed to prove that the exclusion of 1,353 actual votes cast by the electorate affected the election result in a substantial manner. Even if all 1353 excluded votes were added to Nalubowa Rose’s certified tally of 23,176 votes, her total rise to 24,529 votes, leaving Nameere Justine’s tally of 24,502 votes ahead by 973 votes”- ruled Justine Benard Namanya.
If you have a story in your community or an opinion article, let’s publish it. Send us an email via editor@peaknews.co.ug