Former Bufumbira South Member of Parliament, Hon. Sam Kwizera Bitangaro, has filed a petition in the Kisoro Chief Magistrate’s Court seeking a recount of last week’s election results.
Court documents obtained by www.vomuhabura.com indicate that Bitangaro, through Arekaho Partners & Co. Advocates, is challenging the results of the January 15 election.
In his affidavit, Bitangaro claims that a review of Declaration of Results (DR) forms from several polling stations revealed irregularities, including instances where votes cast exceeded the number of registered voters and issued ballot papers.
The petition, received by the court on Thursday, lists Alex Niyonsaba Seruganda, who was declared the winner, as the first respondent; Munyambabazi Adam as the second; and the Electoral Commission as the third.
According to the official results released on January 16, Seruganda received 23,897 votes, Bitangaro 22,913, and Munyambabazi Adam 87. A total of 462 votes were declared invalid.
Bitangaro’s petition cites alleged falsification of results from multiple polling stations, including Kabuhungiro Primary School, Bunagana Primary School, Kabande, Sagitwe Catholic Church, Iryaruhuri, Buhayo, Rutare, Giharo, Maziba, Rugina, Rurembwe, Gitenderi, and others.
The petition includes examples such as:
- Buhayo Primary School (n-z) polling station in Chahi Subcounty, where 9 votes were reportedly counted more than the number of registered voters.
- Gihora Trading Centre polling station in Nyakinama Subcounty, which allegedly recorded 178 ballot papers more than those issued.
Bitangaro’s affidavit states: “Having found falsification in the sampled DR forms from different subcounties, I am in doubt that the counting of votes was proper. I am therefore aggrieved and dissatisfied with the results and request a recount to ensure transparency.”
He adds that Seruganda has neither been gazetted nor sworn in as a Member of Parliament and argues that granting the recount is in the interest of justice and equity.
The petition is scheduled for hearing on Saturday, January 24, at 2:00 p.m.
Hon. Alex Niyonsaba, the incumbent, has yet to comment on the petition.
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