Additional questions will be included by the Ombudsman Commission in a Special reference they filed late last month, that is currently before the Supreme Court.
Lawyer for the commission, Dr Vergil Narokobi today indicated in court they will amend and refile the special reference they filed earlier and include additional questions for the Supreme Court’s interpretation.
This is the special reference that went before court on July 28, under section 19(2) of the constitution, which they successfully took out orders, on Friday 4; 30pm of July 28, extending the return of writs from July 28 to July 31, at 2pm.
On July 28, the Ombudsman Commission went to court seeking the extension to ensure the remaining electorates’ writs can be returned and elected MPs can have a say in the election of the Speaker of Parliament and Prime Minister.
This special reference seeks the court’s interpretation of the Constitution’s section 50(1) on the Right To Vote And Stand For Public Office, section 104 (2)(b) on Normal Term Of Office, or when a seat of an MP becomes vacant, section 105 (3) on General Elections, and section 124 (1) on the calling of parliament to fix return date after return of writ.
The special reference will also seek the court’s interpretation of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government Election, section 97 on Address of Returns and section 177 on Extension of time by the head of state on advice of Electoral Commission.
Dr Narokobi went to court today and asked for a two-week adjournment indicating the commission is now framing additional questions which they will file as an amended Supreme Court special reference.
The case will return to court next month for further directions.