URN
Journalist turned politician Lilly Lopuwa, who contested for the Nakapiripirit District Woman Parliamentary seat as an independent has petitioned Moroto High Court, claiming that her defeat was as result of irregularities that handed victory to the incumbent, MP Esther Anyakun.
Anyakun, who also serves as the State Minister for the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations and who contested on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party ticket, was declared the winner of the January 15, Parliamentary polls with 16,275 votes.
Lopuwa, who ran as an independent candidate, emerged second with 11,675 votes, while Zipora Nate of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) trailed with 705 votes.
Through her lawyer, Isreal Ahereza of Kituuma Magala and Co. Advocates Lopuwa alleges that the election process was marred by several irregularities, including voter bribery, intimidation of voters by state operatives, and ballot stuffing.
Lopuwa also faults the Electoral Commission, who is the second respondent in the petition of failing to conduct the elections in accordance with the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap 177, and mishandling declaration of results forms.
The commission is further indicted of conducting elections at night and failing to address concerns raised about Anyakun’s alleged use of state resources, including ministry vehicles, during her campaigns.
Isreal Ahereza of Kituuma Magala and Co. Advocates, the lawyer representing Lopuwa, said that more than 100 polling stations were allegedly affected by ballot stuffing, bribery, and vote rigging, which described as a “move organised to capture the power of the people in Nakapiripirit and not an election.”
He also alleges that Anyakun, who is the first respondent, reportedly used security forces to intimidate and threaten voters, adding that security personnel were biased and even denied her access to the tally room.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Minister Anyakun and the Electoral Commission were futile by the time of this story’s publication, as they did not answer or return our repeated calls.
This is a developing story
Do you want to send us a story? SMS or Call +256-787-551-001 or WhatsApp +256-770-450-528 or Submit on on email eetoilnewsdesk@gmail.com
