As the hearing of petitions from the NRM primaries enters day two, the NRM Director of Legal Services, Counsel Enoch Barata, has revealed that so far, over 15 petitioners have withdrawn their petitions, with more than 120 petitions handled so far.
“As you can see, the movement is smooth in and out, and as of today, we have completed 120 cases. We have consolidated cases that reduce the time we were allocated to handle the petitions.
We have had about 15 petitions withdrawn, and this is a good thing, an indicator that our candidates are accepting that the electoral process was free and fair,” Barata said.
Counsel Barata made this confirmation today while addressing the media at the NRM Legal Tribunal premises at Plot 30, Kyadondo Road, in Nakasero, adding that they haven’t received any challenges.
He noted that the tribunal is expected to give its verdict on electoral petitions filed by aspirants to Members of Parliament in seven days from the hearing date.
“The normal time of giving a judgement is seven days unless the tribunal chooses otherwise because the rules allow for an extension of time if they need that time to make a ruling, but the standard time is seven days from the date of the hearing,” Barata said.
Barata further cautioned the petitioned and petitioners to desist from paying money to conmen who convince them they will help them reach the NRM tribunal to solve their petitions through shortcuts. He said that petitions are only handled at the NRM Tribunal offices by the tribunal panels.