KAMPALA – In a landmark ruling, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Primaries Tribunal has nullified the election of Mr. Collins Tanga as the party’s Youth League Chairperson and ordered a fresh poll to be conducted without the involvement of the party’s Electoral Commission chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi.
The tribunal’s decision, delivered on Wednesday, stems from findings of significant non-compliance with the party’s electoral laws that “substantially affected the result” of the previous election.
The three-member panel, headed by John Muslime and including Diana Kasabitti and Esau Isingoma, found the vote tally to be “tainted” and the electoral record “unreliable.” Consequently, the tribunal ruled that it could not declare any other candidate elected and that the only proper remedy was to order a new election.
“The proper remedy is to nullify the election and direct a fresh poll for Chairperson of the NRM Youth League in strict compliance with the Constitution, Regulations and Guidelines,” the tribunal’s ruling stated.
In a move aimed at restoring credibility and confidence in the electoral process, the tribunal issued a specific directive barring Dr. Tanga Odoi from any involvement in the fresh election.
“To restore confidence, the Tribunal further directs that Dr. Tanga Odoi take no part in the conduct of the fresh election. The Electoral Commission, being a collegiate body, is fully able to proceed without him,” the ruling read.
The tribunal issued the following resultant orders:
- The declaration of Mr. Collins Tanga as Chairperson, NRM Youth League, is hereby nullified.
- The NRM Electoral Commission is directed to conduct a fresh election in strict compliance with the party’s rules.
- Dr. Tanga Odoi is prohibited from presiding over or participating in any capacity in the fresh election. The other commissioners are tasked with conducting the poll.
The ruling mandates the NRM Electoral Commission to immediately begin preparations for the new election for the influential Youth League Chairperson position, ensuring it is conducted with transparency and strict adherence to the party’s legal framework.
