|
THE leaders of the alternate government led by Sir Julius Chan have
launched another attack against Sir Michael Somare’s National Alliance
Party claiming the party has no legally elected leader and have filed a
case before court to that effect.
In a joint press conference on Wednesday afternoon, the three leaders,
Sir Julius (People’s Progress Party), Sir Mekere Morauta (PNG Party) and
Bart Philemon (New Generation Party) said that “Under the Organic Law on
the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates, the National Alliance
Party like all other registered political parties must comply with the
law”.
“Section 25 (4) of the Organic Law states clearly that a parliamentary
leader shall be elected in a democratic manner in accordance with the
provisions specified in the constitution of the political party,” they
said.
They further said the law also provided for parliamentary members of a
party to have equal voting rights in election, therefore, requiring an
election of a parliamentary leader by each party according to each
party’s constitution.
In the case of the National Alliance Sec 5.3.3, the leaders stated that
the party caucus shall meet immediately after the return of writs after
a general election but before the first meeting of Parliament to elect
the leadership of the party including parliamentary leadership.
They further claimed that the NA Party caucus had not met to elect a
leader and that the assumption of leadership by Sir Michael was illegal
as it was not in accordance with the NA constitution.
“The provisions of the NA constitution had not been followed to elect a
parliamentary leader, the assumption by Sir Michael was also in breach
of the Organic Law,” they claimed.
“The NA Party caucus has not met to elect a leader and so NA does not
have a parliamentary leader. The effect of this is that the position of
parliamentary leader of NA is vacant. Furthermore, under the NA
constitution, Sir Michael is not eligible to contest the leadership.”
They said according to Section 21.6 (b) of the NA constitution, no MP
may serve as parliamentary leader consecutively for more than two terms.
Sir Michael has been leader of NA for two parliamentary terms since
1997, therefore, he is disqualified from being nominated.
National Alliance Party executive declined to comment saying that the
matter is before the court, however, confirmed that the Parliament
session for the election of the prime minister will proceed on Monday. |
