Minister Werikhe wins poll petition
Mr Michael Werikhe
What you need to know:
However, Mr Werikhe said as the elected MP, he would champion reconciliation with his political opponents.
Mr Werikhe received 24,046 votes against his closes rival Mr Andrew Mauso who garnered 19,0 60 votes. Mr Wanda, who took him to court, got 18, 083 votes in third place
MBALE.
The High Court in Mbale has dismissed an election petition against the Bungokho South MP, Mr Michael Werikhe, who is also the State minister for Trade and Industry.
Justice Margret Oguli on Friday dismissed the petition filed by Mr Martin Wanda of Forum for Democratic Change candidate against Mr Werikhe and Electoral Commission, saying the petitioner failed to prove the allegations of bribery, violence, use of State resources and non-compliance with electoral laws during the election process.
“The petitioner failed to prove his allegations to the satisfaction of this court. Therefore this court confirms the second respondent [Werikhe] as the elected MP for the constituency,” the judge ruled.
After the ruling, Mr Werikhe addressed journalists and bragged of strong grassroots support.
“Even his witnesses were not reliable. For me what has enabled me to survival is my grassroot support, which none of my opponents have in this constituency,” he said.
However, Mr Werikhe said as the elected MP, he would champion reconciliation with his political opponents.
Mr Werikhe received 24,046 votes against his closes rival Mr Andrew Mauso who garnered 19,0 60 votes. Mr Wanda, who took him to court, got 18, 083 votes in third place.
