Petition against Raminai dismissed

The National National

THE National Court has dismissed an election petition filed by losing candidate Joel Reke Raitano against MP Wesley Raminai for the Kagua-Erave seat.
Acting Judge Justice Nicholas Miviri upheld two objections to competency filed by Raminai and the Electoral Commission.
Justice Miviri dismissed the petition after he was satisfied that the grounds relied on were not properly pleaded before the court.
The petition relied on:

  • Errors and omission or illegal practices by the electoral officers and other authorised persons in the counting room during the elimination;
  • misallocation of votes and ballot papers in the eliminations;
  • the counting environment not conducive which affected the result of election; and,
  • Grounds on which the petitioner seeks to set aside the decision to refuse scrutiny and counting of the Kola and Kaporoi council ward ballot boxes.

Justice Miviri said the facts relied on were not set out in sufficient detail to have the respondent prepare and respond to the case and, importantly, for the court to see with clarity the factual and legal issues emanating.
The court heard that Raminai won by 4702 votes.
Meanwhile, Raminai, outside court, urged the people to work together with him to provide services to the district.
“I am happy with the win, but it is for the people of Kagua-Erave,” he said.