Hela petitions to be heard separately

The two petitions that were filed disputing Philip Undialu’s election as Hela Regional member will be heard separately by the same judge in the Waigani National Court.

Justice Ellenas Batari today granted an application by Undialu, allowing the trial to be heard separately after the National Court on 17 November last year, ordered that the two petitions go for hearing together.

The court varied the order which earlier joined the two petitions for trial.

The hearing of the petitions will take place pending the outcome of objections filed by the Electoral Commission challenging the competency of the petitions.

If the objections are refused and dismissed, the two petitions will proceed to trial. Which petition goes for hearing first will be determined after the court decides on the two objections the Electoral Commission filed.

The National Court will hear submissions on the objections and give a ruling soon.

(Loop PNG file picture)

Author: 
Sally Pokiton