2022 National General Elections

Presiding Judge, Justice David Cannings wholly dismissed the case on grounds that the petitioner failed to prove his case to satisfaction.

Justice Cannings further stipulated the 7 reasons that came down to his decision;

They are now waiting for submissions of accepted evidence from the lawyers which will be done on 21 September 2023 at the National Court House in Port Moresby.

Trials started on September 8 with cross-examination of Yama’s witnesses by Martin Kombri Lawyers, representing Ramsy, and Peter Kuman for the Electoral Commission.

Justice Cannings dismissed all eight grounds that Wararu’s lawyers submitted, ruling that they had no merit in law.

“I want to thank and praise God for giving us our third victory in a row. I give all praise and honor to him. I also want to thank my lawyer too,” said Minister Maru.

He said this is the third time that Wararu had lost his election petition against him. Wararu had filed three unsuccessful petitions so far in the three elections - 2012, 2017 and 2022.

Justice Panuel Mogish at 5.30pm on Thursday, July 6th, upheld an objection to competency on the election petition that was taken out by the lawyers for Kapavore and the PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC), as the second respondent in the matter.

Kapavore’s legal counsel, Sally Tadabe from Mel and Henry Lawyers, said the petition by the plaintiff was based on several grounds, including bribery.

The petition, by Glen Kiso, challenged Ling-Stuckey’s election as Member for Kavieng Open in the 2022 general elections on grounds of bribery, undue influence and illegal practice.

It was dismissed by Judge George Manuhu, who said the petition failed to comply with the mandatory requirement of section 208 (d) of the Organic Law, where the two attesting witnesses are mandated to state their occupations and addresses; the precise section, lot number or street name. Not postal addresses.

The outcome saw two of these women under a political party win against all odds, whilst the bulk of the other women left on the rebound, making it another five years of male dominance on the floor of the 11^th Parliament.

The two women that won were Rufina Peter, Governor for Central Province and endorsed by the People’s National Congress Party and Kessy Sawang, Member for Rai Coast Open seat in Madang Province and the Vice Minister for International Trade and Investment, endorsed by People first Party.

However, only a small portion was given to the 21 provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

Morobe Province, being the largest in terms of landmass and population, received K5.4 million from the K460 million.

Chairman of the Special Parliamentary Committee on 2022 General Elections, Allan Bird, said NCD and Morobe received the largest chunk of the budget, with Bird outlining that K10 million in total was disbursed to these two areas.

Other provinces received smaller amounts, with Bird wondering where the remaining K450 million went.

It offers policy prescriptions on how public policy might be developed and carried out in response to different policy challenges.

The 2022 Election Observation Study was carried out under the ambit of this role.  

Using an ethnographical approach and focusing on seven electorates in the Highlands Region as cases in point, the report provides an account of what transpired in each electorate during the conduct of the 2022 National General Election (NGE).

Accompanied by a distinguished delegation, the Governor's visit from May 15^th-16^th was met with enthusiasm and warm reception from the locals.

Governor Sir Julius, joined by Deputy Governor Semmy Missen, Chairperson Misbill Nelson, Women's Representative Elthy Chapau, Chief Linson Aaron, former Namatanai MP, Byron Chan, and other prominent figures, conveyed his deep appreciation for the overwhelming support received from Lovongai.

The residents turned out in significant numbers, impressing the Governor with their warm and thoughtful welcome.