The two-day Kandep Open seat Election Petition Review hearing is expected to resume today before a three-judge Supreme Court bench.
The trial was adjourned from last week Monday after it was brought to the court’s attention that the consolidated review books did not contain a court transcript.
Parties in the trial are expected to appear before Justices Allan David, Jacinta Murray and Frazer Pitpit for hearing.
The consolidated Election Petition Reviews were filed by political rivals, Don Polye and Alfred Luke Manase. Both contested for the Kandep Open seat in the 2012 General Elections.
On July 4, the same bench stayed the National Court’s decision to set aside Polye’s election as member elect for Kandep Open on May 2, pending the determination of the substantive reviews.
On May 2, Justice Joseph Yagi of the Waigani National Court set aside the declared election of Polye as member for Kandep Open on July 13, 2012.
He ordered the Electoral Commission to count five ballot boxes that were disputed during the General Elections within 30 days from May 2. The five boxes were not counted after they were disputed. The boxes are from the areas of Lungutenges No.1, Kombros No.1, Kambia No. 1, Maru and Imipaka.
While the Electoral Commission was preparing to get the five disputed ballot boxes counted, Polye filed a judicial review before the Supreme Court. Manase in response also filed a separate review.