Former Teso North MP Arthur Odera. [Photo/ citizentv.co.ke]
Former Teso North Member of Parliament (MP) Arthur Odera’s bid for a recount of votes cast in the constituency during the August 8 general elections has been dismissed by the Kisumu High Court.Odera who is challenging the election of the current MP Oku Kaunya, had sought a court order for scrutiny and recount of all votes that were cast during the election.He argued that a full scrutiny and recount of votes would assist the court to uncover the extent to which electoral violations affected the final result.Kisumu High Court Judge David Majanja, however, dismissed the application saying there was no proper reason for the court to order a vote recount."The petitioners neither pleaded nor laid any evidence basis to enable the court to examine all the ballots in the constituency," ruled justice Majanja.The former MP argued that elections were conducted with disregard to election laws and the principals laid down in the Constitution.Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Teso North constituency returning officer Julian Gomity and MP Kaunya are the respondents in the case.Justice David Majanja said that the case will be mentioned on January 22 with another hearing session set for January 30, 2018.Odera vied for the seat on a Jubilee Party ticket while Kaunya was elected on an ODM ticket.