TEN more petitions have been filed at the High Court at the close of the petition period on Thursday, bringing the total number of petitions to 25.
Two of the 10 petitions filed are against newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Northwest Guadalcanal and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Francis Sade and the re-elected Member of Parliament for South Guadalcanal and Minister for Rural Development, Rollen Seleso.
Former MP Bodo Dettke filed the petition against MP Sade, while former MP David Dei Pacha filed the petition against MP Seleso.
Private lawyer Gabriel Suri represented these two petitioners.
High Court Deputy Registrar Jack Taloifuila said due to the big number of petitions filed yesterday they were busy sorting out the file till late evening.
He therefore was unable to give the names of the petitioners.
The High Court also received two provincial election petitions.
Some of the petitions filed earlier in the week are that of:
- David Qurusu who is the candidate of the Coalition for Accountability, Reform, Advancement and Empowerment (CARE) for the East Choiseul Constituency Seat against former Prime Minister and the current Minister of Finance and Treasury, Manasseh Sogavare;
- Angella Doris Tahani against the re-elected MP for Temotu VATUD Freda Ab Tuki Soriacomua;
- Bradley Lenga against the MP for North East Guadalcanal, Jamie Vokia;
- Jessy Koli against the re-elected Member of Parliament for East Guadalcanal Constituency and Deputy Prime Minister, Bradley Billy Smoky Rodo Tovosia;
- Wilson Mamae against the re-elected MP for West Honiara Constituency and Chairman of Government Caucus, Namson Tran;
- Alick Fleming Pukakoqoro against the re-elected MP for Northwest Choiseul Constituency and Minister of Commerce, Industry, Labor and Immigration, Harry Kuma;
- Former MP for Temotu Pele Constituency, Duddley Kopu against his successor James Bonunga, who is a member of the Opposition Group.
- Samuel Manetoali against the newly elected Member of Parliament for Gao-Bugotu and the Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology Trevor Hedley Mahaga;
- Jeromy Manengelea Rex against the re-elected MP for Central Guadalcanal and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka;
- Dickson Mua and Peter Osika jointly against the newly elected MP for Savo-Russells, Oliver Salopuka;
- Former MP Samson Maneka against the newly elected MP for North Guadalcanal and Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Paul Popora Bosawai;
- Peter Soqoilo against the MP for Gizo-Kolombangara and Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services Jimson Fiau Tanangada;
- Former MP Anthony Kamutulaka Veke against the MP for West Guadalcanal, Moses Garu; and
- Former MP for Lau Mbaelelea Augustine Auga Maeue and Harry Philip’s joint petition against new MP Ben Maenu.
The filing fee for National General Elections is $2000, with an additional $40,000 required for security.
For Provincial Elections and the Honiara City Council, the filing fee is $850, accompanied by a $10,000 security deposit.
The Chief Electoral Officer Jasper Highwood Anisi had advised that the 30-day period for the filing of election petitions commenced on April 30 and will conclude on May 30.
The 2019 National General Elections saw a total of 29 petition cases filed by the petition deadline.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
