Scrutiny process

Parties aggrieved with the conduct of the elections have the appropriate remedy, which is through election petitions, where the courts can deal with election-related grievances at the appropriate time.

That appropriate time is after the declaration and return of writs. This was reiterated by Justice Collin Makail when presiding over an election-related trial today. 

The Waigani National Court this afternoon dismissed the case filed by 12 candidates contesting the NCD Regional seat after a trial conducted in short notice.

Andy Bawa, Jamie Maxtone-Graham, Michael Kandiu, Robert Agen, James Melegepa, Tom Watinga, Steven Kilage, Brian Pulume, Noel Anjo, Francis Tanga, Jamuga Stone and Bonny Igime, as candidates, filed the urgent application against NCD Election Manager Alwyn Jimmy and Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato.

The matter came before Justice Collin Makail today but was adjourned to Thursday after their lawyer asked for an adjournment.