Why EC has petitioned Supreme Court over dismissed MPs

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Electoral Commission filed an application in the Supreme Court seeking to stay the execution of the recent Constitutional court ruling which dismissed the election of six MPs in the newly created municipalities.

Last year’s judgment affected Apac Municipality MP Patrick Ocan, Sheema Municipality MP Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, Ibanda Municipality MP Tarsis Rwaburindore Bishanga, Nebbi Municipality MP Hashim Sulaiman, Kotido Municipality MP Abrahams Lokii and Asuman Basalirwa for Bugiri Municipality.

The judges noted that the affected MPs contested for non-existing positions because their constituencies’ villages or cells and other administrative units had not yet been demarcated by the Electoral Commission.

In their application filed  before the Supreme Court, the Electoral Commission is seeking to stay the execution of the orders pending the determination of an appeal which has also been lodged before the Supreme Court.

They argue that during the hearing of the interim application, they will base on the grounds stated in the affidavit of one of their lawyers Hamidu Lugoolobi who says that the Constitutional court exercised the jurisdiction vested in it with material irregularity or injustice.

The commission also contends that the result of the lower court decision impeached or infringed on other elections envisaged under the Constitution. This is because also the Constitutional court among a