The Electoral Commission (EC) tribunal has on Thursday scrutinized election petitions involving three women seeking to challenge the Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among, for the Bukedea District Woman MP seat in the 2026 general elections.

The aspirants Hellen Odeke Akol, Susan Norma Otai, and the National Unity Platform’s Marion Mercy Alupo were on Monday dragged to the High Court in Kampala over allegations that they are not registered voters.

The petition was filed by Zipporah Akol, the same individual who previously challenged Odeke’s eligibility in the 2021 elections, successfully securing an injunction that barred her nomination at the time.

Although the Court of Appeal later dismissed the case as baseless, the injunction had already run its course, rendering Odeke ineligible to contest then.

In the latest case, Zipporah Akol is seeking to block the trio’s nomination, arguing that they are not legitimately registered voters in Bukedea District and should therefore be disqualified.

The EC was also listed as a respondent in the matter, alongside the three aspirants.

By Monday, only one candidate, Marion Mercy Alupo, had filed her response.

The EC requested more time to prepare its defense, leading to an adjournment of the matter until next Monday.

All three aspirants have, however, dismissed the allegations, insisting they are registered voters and eligible to challenge the incumbent Speaker.

According to the Parliamentary Elections Act (2005), a valid candidate for Parliament must be a registered voter and meet the minimum educational requirements.

Grounds for disqualification include failure to register as a voter, not meeting residency criteria, and other original eligibility requirements under the law.

By Alex Magala

3rd Oct 2025

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