The administrator judge of election petitions has called on supporters of petitioners and sitting MPs to respect the court process.
Justice Collin Makail said this when setting the trial dates for the hearing of the Simbu Regional seat.
He said the law is there to protect everyone and if an election is disputed, the process of election petitions is there and everyone has to respect it.
Candidates whose election were disputed remain the sitting MP pending the outcome of the trial.
The petition filed by Noah Kool disputing Michael Bogai Dua’s election as Simbu Regional MP was set for five days’ trial, commencing March 12, 2018.
Kool is alleging errors and omission and illegal acts during counting against the Electoral Commission in the petition.
The trial will be conducted at the Kundiawa National Court.
A motion challenging the competency of the petition that was filed by Dua will be heard at the commencement of the trial.
(Picture: Governor Dua, centre, and his supporters outside court today)