28 election petition cases now before High Court

By Eliza Kukutu

A total of 28 election petition cases have been filed before the High Court.

Deputy High Court Registrar Jack Taloifuila confirmed this to SIBC News after the closure of submission on Thursday 30 May 2024.

Of the 28, 26 were filed against winning Members of Parliament while two against Provincial Assembly members.

“As of yesterday, we received a total of 26 election petition cases against members of Parliament.”

“For Provincial elections, we received two petitions. These two are for Isabel Province, one for Samasodu Ward and another for Baolo ward,” he said.

The petitions were filed against Hon. Jimson Tanangada, Hon. Dr. Paul Popora Bosawai, Hon. Oliver Salopuka, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka, Hon. Trevor Hedley Mahaga and Hon. Ben Maenu’u.

Others are Hon. Moses Garu, Hon. Bradley Tovosia, Hon. Namson Tran, Hon, James Bonuga, Hon. Harry Kuma, Hon. Freda Tuki, Hon. Makario Tagini, Hon. Jamie Vokia, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare, Hon. Choylin Douglas, Hon. Isikeli Vave Jnr and Hon. Daniel Waneoroa.

Petitions were also filed against Hon. Polycarp Paea, Hon. Francis Sade, Hon. Ricky Fuo, Hon. Morris Toiraena, Hon. Manasseh Maelanga, Hon. Rollen Seleso, Hon. Alfred Tuasulia and Hon. Rick Hou.

The Provincial Members facing petitions are Hon. Lawrence Hayward and Hon. Ian Mason.

Meanwhile, Mr. Taloifuila also confirmed that 21 election petition cases have been listed for hearing.

“According to the Electoral Act, the courts must deal with election petition cases within 12 months, and we take this seriously by prioritizing petition cases.”

“So out of the 26 election petition cases against members of Parliament, 21 have already been listed for hearing,” he said.

Five petition cases have been given five days to pay their security costs.

“There are five petition cases which are yet to pay their security costs. They have paid the $2,000 filing fee but are yet to pay their $40,000 for security of costs so we have given them five days, which is catered for under the electoral act petition rules 2019.”

“ If they pay the required fees within the five days, then the petition cases will be forwarded for direction of hearings. But if they do not pay then we can lift the cases for dismissal,” he explained.

According to the procedures and rules for petitions as provided for under the Electoral Act, the court may dismiss a petition without hearing if a petition is frivolous or vexatious or if there is insufficient grounds to warrant a hearing.

ENDS///