Court refuses bid to shelve Wakias’ reinstatement

By DEMAS TIEN
David Wakias will remain the election manager for Southern Highlands, according to a Supreme Court decision yesterday.
The Supreme Court refused to stay a National Court decision which reinstated Wakias as the election manager for Southern Highlands.
Justice Derek Hartshorn ruled that the interest of justice favoured the refusal of the stay order sought by a Jacob Kurap against Wakias’ reinstatement.
The court also refused to grant a restraining order sought by Kurap against Wakias.
The stay order and the restraining order were sought in an appeal Kurap filed against the National Court decision on March 17.
Wakias was appointed as election manager in November 2014 and based in Southern Highlands.
He signed a contract of employment as the election manager on Oct 4 last year.
The electoral commissioner, after receiving reports from the provincial election steering committee and making inquiries, recalled and reassigned Wakias.
Kurap was appointed to replace Wakias as the acting election manager for Southern Highlands.
Wakias then filed a judicial review case to challenge the  commissioner’s decision to revoke his assignment on the grounds of denial of natural justice and unreasonableness.
The National Court, presided by Justice Colin Makail, reinstated Wakias.