HE CAN NOW BREATHE: EC Rules in Favour of Oulanyah’s Son in Petition Challenging His Academic Papers

Andrew Ojok, son to late speaker Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah can now breathe after the Electoral Commission (EC) insisted that he was duly nominated in the race to replace his father. 

One of the candidates in the Omoro County by-election had challenged Ojok’s academic papers based on the discrepancies in his name. The EC also says it had received complaints about the eligibility of candidates in the race.

But the Commission says Ojok and fellow candidates were duly nominated and they are eligible for election to the position of Member of Parliament representing the people of Omoro County.

“In exercise of its powers as provided for under Article 61(1)(f) of the Constitution and Section 15 of the Electoral Commission Act 140, the EC has concluded hearing of complaints that were raised in respect of ineligibility of the six candidates for Omoro County MP By-election,” said the Commission whose Chairperson is Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama.

“Candidates Tolit Simon (NUP); Odong Justine (FDC); Kizza Oscar (ANT); Onen Jimmy Walter (IND); Odonga Terence (IND) and Ojok Andrew Oulanyah (NRM) complied with the requirements for nomination to contest for Member of Parliament, Omoro County Constituency, Omoro District.”

What this means is that “the Commission has accordingly upheld the decision of the Returning Officer, Omoro District, in nominating the above candidates,” and these “remain duly nominated candidates in the Parliamentary by-election, with the polling set for Thursday 26th May 2022.”

ANT’s Kizza had challenged Ojok Oulanyah’s academic papers and insisted that the late speaker’s son had been nominated using names different from what appears on his academic documents. (Read Story Here).

MORE ON OULANYAH’S DEATH

Speaker Oulanyah died on March 20. (Read Story Here).