Stanley Liria

Liria withdrew the reference, calling for calm, the end of violence, and respect for the rule of law following fighting in Mendi town, the capital of Southern Highlands Province.

He also intends to withdraw the election petition in the court of disputed returns. See more on http://www.looppng.com/png-news/liria-calls-peace-67833

Two more petitions were dismissed from the Court of Disputed Returns this week, even before it reached the trial stages.

Stanley Liria, who filed a reference in the Supreme Court, on the legality of polling conducted on Sunday in the electorate, in Southern Highlands Province, will no longer be pursuing it in court.

This reference which was filed on July 10, questioning the legality of polling that was conducted on Sunday, July 2, after it was deferred from Friday, June 30, has been withdrawn.  

In the reference, the high court was asked to interpret section 130 of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government elections.

This reference was filed on July 10 by runner-up in the Ialibu-Pangia seat, Stanley Liria, questioning the legality of polling that was conducted on Sunday, July 2, after it was deferred from Friday, June 30.

In the reference, the high court was asked to interpret section 130 of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government elections.

But lawyers representing Liria today asked the Supreme Court to have the entire proceeding withdrawn.

Justice Collin Makail issued the orders today on the request of lawyer representing petitioner in the Ialibu-Pangia seat, Stanley Liria.

The petition came for direction hearing today to assist parties prepare themselves for the actual hearing.

The main basis of the petition is the alleged illegal polling on Sunday, which breaches section 130(1)(b) of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government elections.

Three are three grounds of the petition; illegal practices, bribery and undue influence.

Runner-up in the Ialibu-Pangia seat, Stanley Liria, filed an urgent application to restrain O'Neill from making declaration of loyalty and taking office in Parliament tomorrow.

He alleges that he was denied his constitutional rights, saying polling was conducted on Sunday.

The application was refused and dismissed because the court saw that the primary issue - Sunday polling - that was raised by Liria in this National Court case is the same issue he had earlier raised in the Supreme Court.

He filed an application on Monday afternoon seeking interim orders to restrain O'Neill from taking office, alleging there was an infringement in the constitution when polling was conducted in the electorate on a Sunday.

The urgent application came before court this morning.

Substantively, Liria is asking the court to declare that the public declaration of Peter O'Neill was unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court convened today since adjourning the case last week Tuesday.

Today was however spent clarifying the withdrawal of another two applications filed by Mr Liria that had sought a Court Order to stop the counting and declaration of the Ialibu Pangia seat.

The two applications have been withdrawn because the counting and declaration has already taken place.