Court dismisses election petition against Maru

By DAPHNE WANI
A petition by a losing candidate in last years’ general election for the Yangoru-Saussia Open seat in East Sepik was dismissed by the National Court in Waigani yesterday.
Justice Ambeng Kandakasi dismissed the petition by Peter Wararu Waranaka against elected MP Richard Maru and the Electoral Commission for lack of pleading sufficient facts.
Maru, also the Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, told The National after the court that it “was a very comprehensive and decisive win for the people of Yangoru Saussia electorate”.
“Now I can focus on my job to the electorate, as well as my ministry and serve the people of this nation,” he said.
“I want to thank my legal team led by Paul Mawa from Mawa lawyers, Martin Kombri and the Electoral Commission lawyers for their support throughout the case.
“I thank my family and all my supporters throughout the country who have been tirelessly praying and supporting me.
“I thank the Lord for the victory which we saw coming all alone.
“I want to tell the people of Yangoru-Saussia that we will certainly apply for the costs of the proceedings to be paid by the petitioner unlike the last time.”
Justice Kandakasi dismissed all the grounds of the petition yesterday after he upheld the objections made by Maru’s lawyer Mawa.
He accepted Mawa’s submission that the petition was filed out of time and the relief sought was not properly set out.
Justice Kandakasi said a critical aspect of the petition was not properly pleaded in the petition. The petitioners’ lawyer John Alman conceded that that the total number of votes was not set out in the petition.