By Vasinatta Yama – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Former Opposition Leader, Don Polye, has been reinstated as Kandep Open member this morning by Justice Terence Higgins of the Waigani Supreme Court.
Justice Higgins stayed the ruling of Justice Joseph Yagi on May 2, which ruled the Kandep Open Seat vacant, pending the counting of the five ballot boxes which were omitted by the returning officer.
Mr Polye’s appeal for a judicial review at the Supreme Court into Justice Yagi’s decision has been granted.
Justice Higgins stayed the ruling of Justice Yagi, pending the Judicial review at the Supreme Court.
On May 2, Justice Yagi made the ruling and ordered the Electoral Commission to conduct a recount within thirty days.
Five ballot boxes containing 3,248 ballot papers were omitted by the returning officer, when Polye had reached the absolute majority.
Luke Alfred Manase, who was the runner-up in 2012 to Polye, had sought four orders from the court including the recounting of votes of the five boxes.
Three orders were earlier in favour of Polye.
On May 3, Polye stepped down as the Opposition Leader, and Kandep MP, until his reinstatement today.
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