The High Court has resolved 13 out of the 28 petition cases filed against winning candidates in the joint National General Elections held on April 17, 2024.
Of the 13 cases relating to the Parliamentary election, 10 were dismissed, and three were withdrawn.
Currently, eight petition cases are awaiting rulings on strike-out applications, four are under management for hearings, and one is on appeal pending a decision. Additionally, two petition cases involve winning candidates in the provincial elections.
Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer disclosed these updates during the opening of the 2025 Legal Year at the High Court on Tuesday.
For the provincial election cases, one is awaiting a strike-out ruling, while the other is being managed for hearing.
Notable Election Petition Cases Awaiting Rulings
- Former Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for East Choiseul, Manasseh Sogavare, versus David Qurusu.
- Member of Parliament for North Malaita, Daniel Suilea Waneoroa, versus former MP Jimmy Lusibaea.
- Member of Parliament for Lau/Mbaelelea, Ben Maenu’u, versus former MP Augustine Auga Maeue and Harry Philip.
- Member of Parliament for West Guadalcanal, Moses Garu, versus former MP Anthony Kamutulaka Veke.
- Member of Parliament for Central Kwara’ae, Ricky Fuo’o, versus former MP Jackson Fiulaua.
- Member of Parliament for Baegu/Asifola, Tagini Makario, versus Celsus Talifilu.
- Member of Parliament for West Honiara, Namson Tran, versus Wilson Maemae.
- Member of Parliament for East Guadalcanal, Bradley Tovosia, versus Jessey Koli (awaiting a ruling before the Court of Appeal).
The petition case involving Member of Parliament for Gao/Bugotu, Trevor Hedley Mahaga, versus former MP Samuel Manetoali is currently pending an appeal hearing.
Other Cases in Progress
A petition filed by Member of Parliament for North East Guadalcanal, Jamie Lency Vokia, against Bradley Lenga is pending withdrawal.
Meanwhile, the following petition cases have been scheduled for pre-trial conferences and hearings:
- Member of Parliament for Baegu/Asifola, Tagini Makario, versus Celsus Talifilu.
- Member of Parliament for Shortland Islands, Junior Isikeli Vave, versus Christopher Laore and Silverio Ilaha Lepe.
- Member of Parliament for Northwest Guadalcanal, Francis Sade, versus former MP Bodo Dettke.
- Member of Parliament for Ngella, Choylin Yim Douglas, versus Gabriel Salini.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
