Kampala — THE Supreme Court has nullified the election of Sembabule Woman MP Hanifa Kawooya. Court said the election was marred by numerous malpractices.

The court blamed the Electoral Commission (EC) for not conducting the exercise according to the laws governing parliamentary elections and ruled that it should pay the costs of the appeals in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

The court blamed the EC for being influenced by foreign affairs minister Sam Kuteesa when it removed the district returning officer, Muwaya Tibakuno and replaced him with Ibrahim Kakembo under dubious circumstances.

The court agreed with Justice Moses Mukiibi of the High Court who heard the petition that it was unlawful for the EC to replace its original returning officer, Tibakuno with Kakembo at an abrupt notice and that Kuteesa influenced the EC in the performance of its functions and its independence was compromised.

Joy Kafura Kabatsi, who lost to Kawooya, had earlier petitioned the High Court challenging the election on the grounds that the EC held the election contrary to the Parliamentary Elections and the EC Act, the Constitution and generally accepted principles.

The Supreme Court also dismissed an appeal in which the MPâ-àof Bujumba County in Kalangala district, Fred Badda, had sought to reverse a ruling nullifying his election.

In a unanimous decision, the court agreed with the Court of Appeal that had earlier dismissed Badda's appeal that it lacked merit as there was overwhelming evidence that he committed numerous electoral offences, including bribery.

Prof. Muyanda Mutebi, who lost to Badda, petitioned the High Court alleging that the EC failed to conduct the exercise in accordance with the laws.