Papua New Guinea Defence Force, Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo, and CEO of the National Gaming Control Board, Imelda Agon, have been summoned to an election petition trial for the Ialibu-Pangia open seat.
Justice Collin Makail issued the orders today on the request of lawyer representing petitioner in the Ialibu-Pangia seat, Stanley Liria.
The petition came for direction hearing today to assist parties prepare themselves for the actual hearing.
The main basis of the petition is the alleged illegal polling on Sunday, which breaches section 130(1)(b) of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government elections.
Three are three grounds of the petition; illegal practices, bribery and undue influence.
Petitioner Stanley Liria intends to call 184 witnesses for the trial while Ialibu-Pangia MP and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s lawyer indicated calling between 15-20 witnesses.
The parties have been given three weeks each to collect and file statements for those witnesses before the case returns in November where a date can be set for trial.
The Electoral Commission has also been ordered to file tally sheets to assist the trial.