By Fred Kiva:
The Electoral Commission has declared Taban Idi Amin as MP elect for Kibanda North Constituency in Kiryandongo district after his sole rival Sam Otada withdrew his candidature just hours to today’s by-election.
Samuel Kiyingi, the Kiryandongo district Returning Officer says Otada wrote to the Electoral Commission last evening withdrawing his candidature.
Kiyingi added that the by-election has been called off and Amin declared winner.
“We are not going to have an election today (Thursday), because honourable Otada has withdrawn his candidature, so we have instead declared Honourable Amin elected unopposed”.
Otada has been in court challenging Taban Amini’s eligibility saying his rival did not put right issues leading to his election nullification in May.
His application was however dismissed by High Court in Masindi in July for lack of evidence.
The former Kibanda County Legislator later unsuccessfully appealed to High court in Kampala.
Kiyingi said Otada’s decision to withdraw from the race was taken moments after he lost a petition at Kampala High Court.
“There has been a case going on at the High Court and the judge has ruled in favour of electoral commission, that Amin was nominated legally so he saw no reason of pursuing the case further. He has written to electoral commission headquarters, he has sent us a copy, we have the document here.” Kiyingi said.
Otada’s withdrawal also comes a day after NRM Chairman and President Yoweri Museveni campaigned for the party’s flag bearer Idd Amin.
