Judge blasts election officials

By PETER MIVA
NATIONAL Court judge Justice Bernard Sakora took a swipe last Thursday at the lack of interest of election officials in the hearing of a petition by Tukape Masani in Lae over the counting of last year’s Huon Gulf Open seat poll results.
Justice Sakora directed his anger at the Huon Gulf electoral returning officer Robin Bazzinuc who turned up later than expected to give evidence against allegations raised in Mr Masani’s petition.
“It is because of you that we are all here,” Justice Sakora told Bazzinuc.
“We would not have been in court if there were no allegations of omissions in the counting process supervised by you,” he added.
He said Bazzinuc conducted the elections and was responsible for the outcome of the results.
“So you and any other election officials ought to be equally interested in this case and need to attend the proceedings,” Justice Sakora said.
He said he had nothing personal against Bazzinuc.
He said he wanted to put it down on record so that it would serve as a reminder to other officials who conducted the elections to make an effort to attend hearing of petitions.
Justice Sakora said this was a serious matter and its outcome would decide the fate of a current minister.
He said the petitioner, also a former MP, had the right to a fair trial to hear his petition.
Bazzinuc was apparently led by his lawyer to believe that he would be appearing later to give evidence.
A ruling is expected to be made on Mr Masani’s petition on March 7.