The petitioner Michael Korry, the runner up in the 2012 General Election, filed a petition in August 2012 against the current MP, Mogerema Sigo Wei, challenging his win but was ruled out in November 2012 at the National Court in Goroka.
The petition was filed because it was alleged that conduct of polling at Dawa village was wrongfully conducted and the first respondent, Mr Wei was seen at the polling area.
However, the National Court decision was made on the grounds that the Runner Up was not registered in the 2012 Common Roll.
During the Directions hearings, the Electoral Commission was ordered by the court to produce the Common Roll for Karamui – Nomane Electorate which they compiled.
The MP’s Lawyers discovered that the petitioners name was not on the common roll that was produced, therefore, filed a motion seeking the dismissal of the petition.
In November 2012, the petition was dismissed by the lower court in Goroka.
A Supreme Court review was filed again by Mr Korry’s lawyer, Philip Ame, for alleged procedural irregularities leading to the dismissal of the petition on the grounds that it was bad law and called for a review to reinstate the petition.
Justice Nicholas Kirriwom on behalf of Justice Stephen Kassman and Jacinta Murray, ruled that the application for review be upheld and be reinstated for trial before the National Court.
Trial proceedings have been completed since January and a decision that was supposed to have been handed down today, (Friday 20th June, 2014) was deferred to a later date.
