Decision on election circular welcome news: President

MT Hagen rural local level government president (LLG) Wai Rapa says the National Court decision declaring Inter-Government Relations Minister Pila Niningi’s circular on the national election as unlawful “is welcome news”.
“Niningi’s circular could have affected many LLG members who might have resigned,” he said.
“This is the first time such a circular was issued in my 25 years in office.”
Rapa added that he had contested Western Highlands in 2007, 2012 and 2017 general elections without much ado.
“This decision shows we are not happy with the circular,” he said.
“LLG leaders can continue to exercise their freedom to contest in general elections.”
Deputy Chief Justice Ambeng Kandakasi, on Nov 12, ruled that Nininigi’s circular was unlawful and that he did not have any powers to invoke Sections nine and 10 of the Local Level Government Act 1977 to dismiss the presidents, heads of LLGs and ward members from office for not complying with his circular.
Nininigi, through a circular dated Aug 20, to local level government heads, presidents, mayors and ward members directing their resignation to contest the 2022 general election.
However, the court ruled that Niningi breached Section 50 (c) and (d) of the Constitution and it was unlawful.
Justice Kandakasi ordered that presidents, mayors and ward members shall remain and contest the elections.