The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission has announced it will not hold party primary elections for the Igara East Member of Parliament, sticking to Andrew Martial as its flag bearer.
“We call upon the NRM fraternity not to play …funny politics, you should all rally behind the official flag bearer,” said Dr Tanga Odoi, NRM Electoral Commission Chairman.
Mr. Martial lost his parliamentary seat after the Court of Appeal in early October declared that he had committed bribery contrary to Section 61(1) of Parliamentary Election Act.
Michael Mawanda, who contested as an independent candidate in the parliamentary elections for the constituency in 2016, had petitioned High Court challenging the election of Martial as the validly elected MP, on grounds that it was marred with bribery.
Addressing journalists on the matter in Kampala, Dr. Tanga Odoi said that the court’s ruling does not bar Martial from contesting again to be MP.
“The ruling does not nullify Martial’s candidature as party flag bearer, we call all party members form Igara East to rally behind him,” Odoi said.
The Electoral Commission has set December 14, 2017 for the by-election.
Odoi also disclosed that his commission has embarked on the campaign to verify and certify all candidates that intend to contest for LC1 Chairmanship on the NRM ticket. This is the first time that candidates for this village post will contest under the multi-party system.
