Advice sought over Hela saga

AN independent legal advice is being sought to clarify issues surrounding the election of two acting governors for Hela last week.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Provincial Governments and Local Level Government Affairs Sir Leo Dion said in a statement that the issue had been made difficult by two MPs claiming to be the acting governor for the province.
On July 5, there were two separate meetings by the provincial assembly.
Koroba-Lake Kopiago MP Philip Undialu was elected by his faction in the morning and sworn-in to office by a senior provincial magistrate from Southern Highlands.
Komo-Margarima MP Francis Potape was elected governor in the afternoon by his faction and sworn-in to office by a senior provincial magistrate of Hela.
“I have received reports from my department and other independent observers which point to a lot of discrepancies in the conduct of these elections,” Sir Leo said.
“Furthermore, I have yet to receive meeting minutes of the proceedings of the provincial assembly conducted on July 5.”
“By all powers vested on me under the Organic Law on provincial and local level governments, I am seeking independent legal advice and clarifications on legal issues raised and will make my position clear in due course.”
Sir Leo said it was more of a procedural matter as to whether relevant provisions under the Organic Law on provincial and local level governments, including assembly standing orders, were complied with during the election of an acting governor last week.
“I will be consulting my department on the certification of standing orders and other provincial laws to ensure that all parties adhere to existing laws,” Sir Leo said.
He appealed to Undialu, Potape and the people of Hela to remain calm over the issue and allow due processes to take place.
“I am hopeful that this matter will be resolved at the earliest time possible,” he said.