EC to announce Pomio by-election dates

 THE Electoral Commission is expected to announce a date for a by-election for the Pomio seat following the jailing of MP Paul Tiensten.
Tiensten, 48, was first elected as the Pomio MP ins 2002 and won re-election in 2007 and 2012.
He contested the general election under the banner of the People’s United Assembly.
Tiensten He was sentenced to nine yearsmonths in jail by Deputy Chief Justice Gibbs Salika last Friday for misappropriating K10 million.
Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen is expected to announce a date for the by-election soon, once he is formally informed of the court decision. He could not be contacted yesterday for a comment.
But it is understood that under the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government Elections, an MP jailed for more than nine months will lose his or her seat.
Meanwhile a statement from Task Force Sweep said it began investigations on the case in August 2011.
“Though it took time before the final verdict on sentencing, justice has been finally served and we are satisfied,”  chairman Sam Koim said.
“We have about 77 cases currently going through the court process, 34 of which have passed the committal stage and are lined up for trial this year.
“A couple of struck-outs have been referred to the Public Prosecutor for possible filing of ex-officio indictments. We have not had any acquittals yet. This case has set the precedent.’’