ELECTIONS: NRM’s Masiko 'beats' FDC’s Muzanira in court

KABALE-
High court in Kabale on Monday dismissed the election petition which the former FDC party flag bearer for the Rukungiri Woman Member of Parliament, Ms Betty Muzanira, filed seeking for the nullification of the election results and demanding for an order for fresh elections in the district on claims that the winner, Ms Winfred Masiko, was “illegally” elected.

The Kabale high court Deputy Registrar, Mr Samuel Emokor, delivered the judgment signed by high court judge JW Kwesiga dismissing the case with costs.

Court also established that the petitioner filed the allegation and proceeded to solicit or fish for evidence in form of affidavits and it appeared that those that volunteered or that were persuaded to support the petition got engaged in customer –tailored affidavits.

Ms Muzanira filed the suit in April this year further claiming that there were several electoral malpractices committed by her opponent Ms Masiko such as; making donations during fundraising, appearance of cancelled results on the final tally sheets, failure to include declared results on the final tally sheets, transporting of polling materials by non-polling officials that were affiliated to Ms Masiko, Results declared by the Rukungiri district returning officer differing from what was put on the national gazette, arresting of her agents and releasing them after the voting period without being charged, among others.

During the court hearing Ms Matsiko denied all the allegations.

“I must appreciate the hard work put in this petition by advocates of both parties. Sometimes it’s difficult to differentiate between a bad case and a bad lawyer , this was not the case, the petitioner like the respondent engaged good lawyers , finally however , this petitioned is disallowed and the costs of the petition are awarded to the respondent. Any party not satisfied has a right to appeal,” the judgment signed by Justice JW Kwesiga on August 8th reads in part… Ms Winfred Masiko said that it was obvious the petitioner had no evidence to prove her case and she demands Shs300M= as costs she incurred during the court process and to rebuild her image which the petitioner tainted by falsely accusing and portraying her in public as a person that rigged elections whereas not.

The petitioner Ms Betty Muzanira said that she was liaising with her lawyers to appeal against the judgment because she feels court was biased.