Recount for Powi’s seat

By BOURA GORUKILA
A COURT has ruled that Southern Highlands Governor William Powi vacate the seat he won in the 2017 general election to allow for a recount of the votes.
Justice David Cannings made the decision in the National Court in Waigani yesterday on a petition filed by Pastor Bernard Kaku, who had contested the seat, disputing the election of Powi.
Justice Cannings ordered a recount of the votes the result of which should be returned to the court by Nov 5.
He ordered that Powi be suspended from noon on Aug 31 with full pay pending the result of the recount.
He is barred from discharging the powers, functions and duties and responsibilities of the office of governor.
Justice Cannings also ordered that the Electoral Commission by Aug 31, appoint a returning officer to conduct the recount, determine a place as the counting centre, and make all other arrangements necessary for the commencement and completion of the recount.
The case will return to court on Sept 2 for mention and to check on compliance.
The court ordered Police Commissioner David Manning to provide the resource and personnel necessary to ensure that all ballot boxes be taken as soon as possible to the counting centre.
The registrar will also forward to the clerk to parliament a copy of the court order. No comment could be obtained yesterday from Powi.
But Kaku welcomed the court ruling saying he was relieved that Powi was now out of office.
He had claimed that the returning officer failed to complete and determine the result of the election by scrutiny and prematurely declared Powi the winner without reaching an absolute majority on the first preference votes.
Justice Cannings said the writ of the election returned to Government House was signed by the Returning Officer and not the Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato.
“Because of irregularities, coupled with the conclusion that Powi was not duly elected, it is necessary to do justice and it would be just and sufficient to order that there be a recount of votes,” he said.