Peter Yama

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;

The leave applications were to review an earlier national court decision that dismissed Pariwa’s application for objection of competency against petitioners Peter Yama and Jerry Singirok.

The outcome now stands that a full trial into the election petition case between Jerry Singirok and Ramsey Pariwa will commence on a date yet to be set by the court.

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.

The decision was handed down on today, 16 August at the Waigani National Court house.

Yama alleges that police do not have the powers to interfere or carry out any electoral function during the entire election process.

Justice Joseph Yagi in his decision said, “The facts deposed by Yama in his affidavit much of which are hearsay, are mere opinions and assumptions.

“A restraining order, if granted will result in halting a very significant constitutional process,” he added.

He said the claims were untrue. Maru was responding to claims made by Yama in a letter dated 1st August to the Electoral Commissioner to sideline the Returning officer for Madang.
Yama stated that the RO was sighted at the same vicinity as the Member-elect for Yangoru-Saussia with some police personnel and member-elect for Usino-Bundi at the same time. 
 

The claims were made by incumbent Madang Governor Peter Yama and published in the media on Monday, August 1st, 2022.

Uguro said he had been at the named location to meet with family, while member-elect for Yangoru Saussia Richard Maru, who was also named in the article, denied meeting with Uguro and the other named parties. He said he was there with family for dinner.

Peter Yama, the current Governor of Madang and the People`s Labor Party leader, is among 40 other candidates vying for the Madang regional seat, while Ismael endorsed under the same party will contest the Madang Open seat among 46 candidates.

As close of nomination yesterday, Madang had registered 317 candidates who will be contesting the seven seats- Madang provincial seat, Madang, Sumakr, Rai Coast, Middle Ramu, Bogia and Usino Bundi.

Madang Governor, Peter Yama presented the total grant of K312,000 to Yawar LLG President, Thomas Agek Kuangi witnessed by other Yawar ward councilors at the Sir Bato Bultin Complex.

The Madang Provincial Government has been empowering the 19 LLG ward councilors in Madang under the provincial government’s ‘Going Rural Policy’. 

He told the councilors that they are the backbone of the people at the LLG and ward level and the provincial government will continue to support them.

In handing down his decision on Wednesday 3^rd of June, Justice David Cannings said there was no slip rule in the judge’s decision on the 6^th of August, 2020.

He added that all the grounds that Jerry Singirok relied on were already argued and that the applicant was trying to reargue those grounds, which is not allowed under the test applicable for the grant of leave in slip rule applications.

A relieved Madang Governor said he was happy with the decision and has called on Singirok to take it to the polls come 2022.

He said the vaccines must be made known to the people before giving them to use. 

He also reiterated that the PNG IMR should also give their assurance on the efficacy of vaccine. 

He said many senior medical workers in Madang have raised doubts over the usage of the vaccines but however, he said he will not force people to take the vaccines.

"Vaccines are normally developed in two years or so but this one is developed very fast which raises doubts among the people."