Court registrar to clear MP

Court-reinstated Samarai-Murua MP Henry Isi Leonard is not allowed to participate in Parliament until the National Court Registrar advises the parliament clerk, acting deputy parliament clerk Kala Aufa says.
Aufa said that although Leonard had won his court case, they would have to get a clearance from the National Court Registrar to allow him to take his seat among his fellow Opposition MPs. Aufa said that after Leonard was advised by another acting deputy parliament clerk Basil Kambuliagen to vacate his seat yesterday.
Leonard had unknowingly rushed into the chamber to take his seat in the middle of yesterday’s Parliament session when Kambuliagen went to him and advised him to leave.
Leonard was reinstated by the Alotau National Court on May 15 following a judicial review.
He had won back his seat after a petition was filed by his predecessor Gordon Wesley Henry who alleged that errors and omissions were committed by the returning officer, John Liba, during the national election last year.
Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika had ordered on March 28 recount of ballot papers for the Samarai-Murua seat. Sir Gibbs had made the ruling after finding errors by counting officials.
He ordered that the declaration of Leonard on July 22 last year as MP remain.