Nuku MP Joe Sungi and Aitape-Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch are among leaders in Sandaun Province who have petitions filed against them, disputing their elections.
The leaders turned up with their lawyers at the Waigani National Court for directions hearing on their cases.
In the petition filed against Pruaitch, petitioner Solwai Emmanuel Mambei is alleging that Pruaitch’s nomination process was not properly done before a gazetted returning or presiding officer.
Mambei is also alleging 13 instances of bribery and anticipates using 30 witnesses for the trial while Pruaitch is expected to use 16 witnesses.
In the petition filed against Nuku MP Joe Sungi, Andrew Kumbakor is alleging bribery and undue influence in his petition against Sungi and the Electoral Commission.
His lawyer Ignatius Mambei told the court they intend to call 27 witnesses for the trial, which they anticipate will run for three days.
Sungi anticipates calling 14 witnesses.
To the East Sepik Province, petitioner over the Maprik seat, Vincent Alois Yangwari, is alleging instances of bribery and illegal practices during voting against John Simon.
In the Ambunti-Dreikikir seat, petitioner Richard Rafa is alleging 10 instances of bribery against MP, Johnson Napunai.
Rafa intends to have 10 witnesses for the trial while Napunai will also have the same number.
The Electoral Commission has been ordered to provide the electoral roll for the Dreikikir LLG, among other electoral documents for the trial.
All parties were advised to collect their witness statements in preparation for trial.
All these petitions will return to court next month where a date can be set for the respective trial dates.
(Loop file pic)