Liria asks court to restrain O'Neill

The runner-up in the Ialibu-Pangia seat, Stanley Liria, has asked the Waigani National Court to stop Peter O'Neill from making declaration of loyalty and taking office in Parliament tomorrow.

He filed an application on Monday afternoon seeking interim orders to restrain O'Neill from taking office, alleging there was an infringement in the constitution when polling was conducted in the electorate on a Sunday.

The urgent application came before court this morning.

Substantively, Liria is asking the court to declare that the public declaration of Peter O'Neill was unconstitutional.

But before the court could hear submissions on the restraining orders Liria was seeking, O'Neill's lawyer, Tiffany Twivey, submitted to the court that the case also relates to a reference on Sunday polling that is currently before the Supreme Court for consideration.

Twivey said this case in the National Court and restraining orders Liria is seeking is sub-judice or still under consideration in the Supreme Court.

The National Court will make a ruling soon in relation to the issue of sub-judice.

The Supreme Court Reference is seeking interpretation of section 130 (1)(b) of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government Election.

The Supreme Court Reference will return to court for further directions on August 14.

This Reference in the Supreme Court was also filed by Liria.

(Loop file pic)

 

Author: 
Sally Pokiton