James Yali

Solicitor General Tauvasa Tanuvasa, has clarified that a free pardon is granted by the Power of Mercy Committee, acting on advice from the National Executive Council and a report from the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee.

Mr. Tanuvasa made these remarks following questions raised by this newsroom on the status of a few convicted individuals whose nominations were accepted by the Electoral Commission to contest the 2022 National General Elections.

The recount order was issued after the court found that James Yali, who was a parolee when he nominated to contest the election, was not eligible.

The court dismissed Yali's petition that was challenging Peter Yama's election today.

Yali’s conviction and sentence would have finished on 18 December 2017. His inclusion in the election affected the results.

He finished second while Retired Defense Force Commander Major-General Jerry Singirok finished third.

The court however upheld Jerry Singirok’s petition and set aside Yama's election, ordering a recount.

The election petition filed by Retired Defense Force Commander Major-General Jerry Singirok has been set for trial from 8th to 9th of February 2018 at the Madang National Court.

In this petition, Singirok is alleging that there were acts of bribery and undue influence during the elections

He is also raising questions on election runner-up, James Yali’s qualification to nominate and stand for election. Yali is not a party to that petition.