Ruling party, NRM’s losing candidate in Pader District’s Aruu North Constituency has successfully sought the nullification of new Member of Parliament Ms Lucy Achiro Otim.
In a judgement passed by three judges of the Court of Appeal, Paul Mugamba, Richard Buteera and Barishaki Cheborion reaffirmed high court judge, David Matovu’s ruling that non noncompliance with the election laws and also ordered the Electoral Commission to organise fresh elections in the area.
Judges said that the ballot boxes were destroyed and the chief magistrate was not able to order for a recount.
Ms Achiro polled 8,599 of the total votes against Mr Kidega’s 8,597. In his April 2 petition, Mr Kidega accused his rival and the Electoral Commission of connivance to strip him of victory.
In February, the Kitgum Magistrates Court ordered for a vote recount but it was never conducted after boxes containing some of the ballots were destroyed by rowdy residents who raided Pader Central Police Station where they were being kept.
