The political parties tribunal has cancelled the election of Endebess MP Dr Robert Pukose, who is a Jubilee aspirant, and ruled that re-tallying of votes should commence in the next 48 hours, failure to do so will result in another nomination which should be held within 72 hours. This follows a successful appeal lodged against his win by his closest competitor Alwin Sasia.
Pukose had won in the Jubilee party primaries, which was held on 24th April, in the hotly contested race between him and businessman Alwin Sasia. Sasia protested citing irregularities and interference by the incumbent MP Pukose and he accused him of threatening his supporters. Additionally, he blamed the election officials for favouring the incumbent’s strongholds by allowing elections to proceed until late but closing the poll stations in his area strongholds early.
Sasia initially moved to the Jubilees party tribunal and protested the result but the party’s tribunal ruled in favour of the incumbent MP Dr Robert Pukose, this prompted him to move a notch higher to the political parties tribunal.
Speaking in his home after learning of the ruling, Sasia thanked the tribunal for what he termed positive justice disclosing that the Jubilee nominations were marred by violence and threats. He also cited the case where police officers found voting material in a car belonging to Jubilee aspirant Jonas Kuko as clear evidence that the whole process was flawed.
His supporters, including Matumbei MCA Philip Sakong thanked the tribunal on what he termed delivered justice to the people of Endebess. The area MP Dr Robert Pukose confirmed that he had received the news about the verdict and urged his supporters to remain calm.
