LLG candidates challenge Trawen’s decision in court

 FIFTEEN presidential candidates from Tsak LLG, in Wapenamanda, Enga, have filed court proceedings challenging Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen’s decision to declare Tsak a failed election there.

They are the first from LLG elections to file a case at the Waigani National Court.

The lead plaintiff, James Yombon, said Trawen’s decision was harsh, especially for the people of Tsak.

Yombon said they decided to take the matter to the court after a long wait since they petitioned the Commission to reconsider its decision.

“The 15 candidates, including myself, have decided to get the court action because the electoral commission did not take into account our plea to continue with the count of votes for the seat to the elimination,” he said.

Copies of the court documents show that the 15 plaintiffs had engaged Greg Manda Lawyers to represent them.

Their court files prepared by the lawyers, sworn and filed in the Waigani National Court registry on Oct 2 and Oct 4 respectively, comprised their affidavits.

In their petition, they named Trawen as first defendant and the commission as the second.

Yombon said in a statement yesterday that they were seeking court’s backing to declare the announcement of failed election null and void and they wanted the Electoral Commission to allow them continue the count with the second and third preferences to declare a winner.