Samson Akunai

Dressed in bright green attires, election officials as well as the Acting Provincial Administrator, Samson Akunai and Provincial Returning Officer Ikiso Kosanama, accompanied EHP Election Manager, Steven Kaupa, as he presented the writ to Gamato.

The Return of Writs was conducted on July 28^th, a week after the original designated date, due to some areas not completing counting in time.

The appeal was set for hearing before three judges of the Supreme Court on Tuesday however, could not proceed further as parties could not agree to orders that the court should issue as a result of the case hearing.

The case was adjourned and parties returned to court yesterday at 3.30pm (Wednesday) but still did not agree to the orders. Three different consequential orders were drafted but not settled by the parties involved.

The Waigani National Court granted the interim orders yesterday afternoon after the sidelined Eastern Highlands Provincial Administrator Solomon Tato filed a notice of motion that was heard ex-parte.

Acting Judge Danjo Koeget when presiding over the matter also ordered that Tato immediately resume office as the Eastern Highlands Provincial Administrator as the substantive Provincial Administrator forthwith pending the determination of the substantive matter.