Court ruling On Duale’s petition set for February

The Majority leader, Aden Duale to know the fate of a petition challenging his win on the 27th of February. ( Courtesy)

Garissa Township MP and Majority Leader in Parliament,  Aden Duale will know the fate of a petition challenging his win on the 27th of February.

High Court judge Hedwig Ongudi set the date after parties concluded their submissions in the petition filed by former Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim on Thursday.

Mr Duale, through lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi, asked the court to dismiss the petition as the petitioner made massive allegations of anomalies but failed to back them with evidence.

Speaking at the Milimani Law courts Duale exuded confidence urging his supporters to remain calm noting that there is nothing to worry about.

“The election was free and fair and done in accordance with the Constitution,” said Duale.

Duale noted that he will continue discharging his duties as an elected MP as he awaits ruling.

The petitioner, Farah Maalim challenged Duale’s win in court claiming that the election was not done in accordance with the law and was marred by irregularities.

Maalim also stated that there had been improper relay and transmission of results during the August 8th General Election.

Electoral commission lawyer Issa Mansur, while defending Mr Duale’s win, said the petitioner has failed to demonstrate that the election did not meet legal thresholds.

Duale according to IEBC results garnered 22,587 votes against Maalim’s 14,897 votes.

The majority leader is yet to know his fate in his challenged re-election. Over 92 MPs will not seat pretty as their petitioners seek to unseat them.

On Friday the court annulled the election of Mohamed Abdi as the governor of Wajir County.

He becomes the first governor to lose his seat in the 2017 petition.