By Jaspher Ouni
The resident city commissioner Lira Lawrence Egole has warned politicians whose election petitions are set for hearing today [Monday] against mobilizing their supporters to crowd at Lira High Court.
According to the cause list, Lira High has fixed three election petitions for commencement of hearing today.
Egole says only petitioners and respondents in the matter together with their advocates and invited witnesses are allowed to access the court premises.
“If you are a party to any of the petition, you will access the court where the hearing will take place but under strict adherence to the guidelines issued by the Chief Justice,” Egole said.
He added that those intending to follow the court proceedings will use media houses because the government is not allowing social gathering to avoid further spread of coronavirus.
“Any politician who will mobilize his or her supporters to crowd the court premises will face arrest and prosecution for defying President Museveni on covid-19 guidelines,” he added.
Last week, Lira High Court Registrar Ssalaamu Godfrey Ngobi, issued a cause list for hearing of poll petitions in which among them are a case filed by former Erute South parliamentary candidate Sam Engola who is challenging the victory of Jonathan Odur.
Engola is challenging the declaration of Odur as winner on grounds that the electoral commission did not comply with provisions of the law and thus affecting the outcome of the election in a substantial manner.
Engola also alleges that Odur contravened sections of the Parliamentary Elections Act when those who were said to be his agents were arrested distributing hand hoes in Barr sub-county towards the polling day to bribe voters.
In another petition, Bonny Aliro, the National Resistance Movement Youth Chairperson for Aromo sub-county is challenging the declaration of Linda Agnes Auma as Woman MP for Lira district.
Aliro wants the Court to annul the election of Auma and declare Ongina the duly elected person, saying that she did not have valid academic papers for one to contest and that she was erroneously nominated by the Electoral Commission because she had not resigned as the Resident District Commissioner of Amuru.
Also fixed for today is a case in which the former UPC Candidate in Lira City Mayoral race Mike Ogwang Olwa is challenging the victory of Sam Atul over irregularities and non-compliance.
