The Electoral Commission (EC) has deleted three women who had expressed interest in contesting against the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, for the Bukedea District Woman Member of Parliament seat.
Appearing before the High Court this morning, the EC secretary revealed that Alupo Mercy Marion (NUP), Norma Susan Otai (FDC), and Akol Hellen Odeke (independent) were all struck off the National Voter’s Register.
The three women were not invited for a tribunal hearing, yet the Commission claimed its tribunal had recommended their deletion. They reportedly learned of their removal after a proxy of Among filed a case in court challenging their eligibility.
Notably, the EC is said to have sat last week and resolved to delete their names from the register even before the case was heard, raising questions over due process.
Alupo had been endorsed by the National Unity Platform, Otai was the Forum for Democratic Change flag bearer, while Akol, who had earlier sought the NRM ticket, was disqualified in the primaries for allegedly lacking a residence in Bukedea.
NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, condemned the move, describing it as “unprecedented impunity” and warning that the country was sliding into dangerous political criminality.
The court battle continues as opposition parties decry what they call a deliberate scheme to shield Among from electoral competition in Bukedea.
