By JAMES APA GUMUNO
POLICE imposed tight security around the Mt Hagen court house yesterday as hundreds of people turned up for the hearing of an election petition filed by former Western Highlands governor Paias Wingti.
Armed police closed off the road leading to the courthouse and everyone entering was checked for weapons.
When hearing began, Mr Wingti’s counsel, Alfred Manase, said that although Governor Tom Olga was named as third respondent, no allegation was made against him.
As such, he said, Mr Olga’s application challenging the competency of the petition should be rejected.
He said only the first and second respondents could file an application if they wished.
“If they do not do so, there is no point for the third respondent to file one,” he said.
Mr Olga’s counsel, Harvey Bill Nii contended however, that any party named raises an issue of competency in the court.
He said some allegations concerned his client and that his name was mentioned in the petition.
He said his client should be given an opportunity to be heard or it would be a breach of natural justice.
Mr Olga was said to have benefited from the first two respondents and should be allowed to be heard, he said.
Mr Nii also argued on the competency application filed last Nov 20.
He said the petition could not be heard because it did not comply with sections 208 and 209 of the Organic Law on the National and Local Level Governments’ Election.
He said that section 208 required a petitioner to state his grounds clearly, such as the names of the people, places, time and date that the alleged illegal practices took place. He said since Mr Wingti’s petition failed to provide such information clearly, it should be struck out.
Furthermore, he said, no specific evidence was provided to support the claims that there were errors, omissions, irregularities and improper practices, which affected the election results.
The hearing before Justice David Cannings resumes today.