Vote of No Confidence motion

Flanked by members of the alternative government camp, Pruaitch said he has informed the Clerk of Parliament to withdraw the motion.

Tari-Pori MP James Marape has also withdrawn his nomination as alternative Prime Minister.

In a media conference yesterday, Pruaitch and Marape along with several members of the alternative government camp fronted the media to announce the decision to withdraw the motion for a Vote of No Confidence against the Prime Minister.

Jondi’s lawyer, Emmanuel Asigau of Pacific Legal Group, today made submissions before a three-man Supreme Court bench on the issue of standing, or whether his client has the right to move such an application.

Justices Les Gavara-Nanu, Allan David and Joseph Yagi heard submissions this afternoon and reserved their ruling to a later date.

Jondi filed the application in March asking the Court to interpret section 142 (Prime Minister) section 143 (Acting Prime Minister), and 145 (Motions of no confidence) of the Constitution.

 A status conference held this morning before a five-judge Supreme Court bench confirmed the hearing for July 1.

The application filed by Leader of the Opposition, Don Polye substantively seeks the High Court to order the Speaker to recall Parliament to debate the Motion of No-Confidence as a matter of national urgency.

Parties will however return to court on Wednesday where lawyer representing Don Polye, Loani Henao will confirm service of documents to parties in preparation for the hearing.

“The permanent parliamentary committee on private business resolved in a meeting that the VONC presented be required due diligence checks to ascertain the compliance with parliamentary practice and ensure that procedural qualifications have been met,” Acting Speaker Aide Ganasi wrote in a letter to the Opposition Leader Don Polye.

Ganasi is chairman of the parliamentary committee.