Election petitions filed before the Court of Disputed Returns can be heard within four months if parties in cases strictly comply with time intervals set by the court.
Judge Administrator of the Election Petition track, Justice Collin Makail made this remarks during the start of a two-day workshop for judges around the country.
The workshop outlines the efficient and effective management of Election petitions from the newly endorsed 2017 Election Petition Rules.
Justice David Cannings took the judges through the new National Court Election Petition rules before administrator judge, Justice Makail, led discussions on challenges faced in the conduct of Election Petitions.
After the 2012 National General Elections, a total of 105 Election petitions were filed in the National Court.
Justice Makail said only 13 of those 105 petitions were completed within four months.
One of those was a petition filed on July 26, 2012 which was determined by October 24 the same year. The petition was upheld and completed within three months.
Justice Makail said election petition delays members from delivering goods and services to their electorates and that impinges on the courts to play an active role in a fair and timely manner.
Election petitions must be filed 40 days with the declaration date.
According to the 2017 Election Petition rules, all evidence that would be relied on in the trial must be filed within 28 days of the petition filed.
Meantime, Chief Justcie Sir Salamo Injia said to have petitions dealt by the courts within four months would mean strict control of adjournments.
He said the estimated time frame for an Election Petition to be completed is 18 months, and he hope that will be done this time around for most cases.
The 2017 Election Petition rules replaces the 2002 Election Petition rules. It is not part of the National court Rules but is a whole set of rules.
//ENDS//SP