By Basighalha Zalimon
High Court sitting at Fort portal has dismissed an application filed by Lawyers from Guma and Company Advocates seeking the Electoral Commission to produce biometric machines for four polling stations.
On Monday, Counsel Davis Guma, who is representing Jackson Mbaju Kathika to challenge the election of Gideon Thembo Mujungu as the Busongora South Member of Parliament filed an application demanding the Electoral Commission through court to produce the biometric machines and four voters’ registers that were used at Katunguru market, Katunguru primary School, Quran A-Z and Busunga Primary School Polling Stations.
However, Court presided over by Hon Lady Justice Victorious Katamba dismissed the application on the grounds that court can use other evidences to handle or prosecute the petition filed by Kathika against Mujungu in the January 14 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
Speaking to the press shortly after the court session, the Principal Legal Officer for the Electoral Commission, Counsel Enock Kugonza said it was not necessary to produce the Biometric Voter Verification Machine because the voters’ register would serve the same purpose.
In a separate interview, Counsel Guma said although court dismissed their application, it doesn’t mean that they have lost the petition.
On his part, Cyprus Mugabi Kahima of Mugabi Shaka and Company Advocates, a defense lawyer for Mujungu said he was glad that court dismissed the application.
Hon Lady Victorious Justice Katamba then set Friday August 20, 2021 as the date court would begin hearing the petition.
