The lawyers representing Ms Jane Frances Amongin Okili, the former official National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag-bearer in the recent Amuru District Woman MP by-election has named Mr Norbert Mao, the President General of the Democratic Party and Mr Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak County Member of Parliament as some of the key individuals behind the vote rigging.
Both Mao and Olanya have been accused of inciting Amuru voters against Okili during last year’s political campaigns after the District Woman MP seat fell vacant following the resignation of Mr Betty Bigombe.
Last Tuesday, Mr Andrew Mauso and Mr James Orima, the lawyers representing Okili in the election petition case submitted two CDs that they say are containing voice recordings of DP’s President and the Kilak County legislator before the high court.
Counsel Wandera Ogalo, the defense counsel for Ms Lucy Akello, the current woman member of Parliament told court that he has received the recordings which are said to be in luo.
Counsel Ogalo asked the high court presided over by Lady Justice Margaret Mutonyi, the Gulu resident High Court judge to give him more time so that he can interview the named individuals before he can file written affidavits by the 25th of May.
According to Ogalo, “Since the recordings are in Luo, I will also need someone who is well versed with the language to transcribe and interpret.”
Mao was present in court during the scheduling of the case but MP Olanya was absent since he was attending a meeting with the Prime Minister in Kampala over the Apaa boundary issue.
In December last year, Okili petitioned the High Court seeking to nullify the results that was declared in favour of her closest rival Lucy Akello.
In her petition filed before Gulu High Court, Okili accused the Amuru Woman MP and the Electoral Commission of connivance and striping her of the victory.
Okili accused Akello of engaging in vote rigging, vote stuffing, voter buying and other electoral malpractices.
The NRM candidate says, “I am not satisfied since the electoral commission did not conduct the Parliamentary Elections for Amuru in accordance with the principles laid down in the Parliamentary Election Act.”
Mr Juma Lanek P’ Labongo, the District NRM Party Chairman Amuru said, “We are confident that we will win the case since my party was cheated of victory because Opposition used a smear campaign. That is why we are in court.”
1 Comment
Ms Okili its about time you must to move on. Acholi people need Acholi representative in parliament whom their can trust. Why is it that NRM members thinks they must win, can win and only them who can win in all elections. Move on! Lucy Akello in the daughter of the land get over it.
To Lucy Akello MP, do not be moved by bullies we Acholi men and women are all behind you and we will see that you remain firm in your position.