A court has granted orders for scrutiny and recount of votes in 10 polling stations as sought by a petitioner challenging the election of Busia governor Dr. Paul Nyongesa Otuoma.

High Court Judge David Kenei ordered that voting diaries in the named stations that were used to facilitate voting be availed for scrutiny.

Justice Kenei ordered that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) do recount at Bumutiru RC primary school, Elugulu Trading Centre, Esiuka primary school, Elugulu Primary school, Namaindi primary school, Bubango primary school, Rudacho primary school, Bulimba primary school, Odiando Primary school, and Busia Township Primary school, where most of the contested results in the petition originated.

“I hereby direct recount of votes in the 10 polling stations within 7 days from today. The first and second responded are to avail the dairies in the named polling stations in case they won’t be found in the ballot boxes,” noted Kenei.

The court also declared that scrutiny and recount be done in seven days in the presence of the deputy registrar of the Busia High Court.

“The scrutiny shall be conducted within 7 days in the presence of the Deputy registrar of Busia High Court who will file a report on or before 17th January,” he added.

Kenei noted that, “The sweeping prayers by petitioners to file more evidence for full scrutiny are unmerited.”

In the case, former Nambale MP John Sakwa Bunyasi, who is seeking to overturn governor Otuoma’s election, alleged that there was an alteration of vote tallies, among other irregularities, an act that led to Governor Otuoma the first respondent unfairly winning the polls.

The case was adjourned until 17th January pending scrutiny of the voters' diary and recount of affected stations.