THE High Court has struck out some of the grounds in the election petition case filed against the Member of Parliament (MP) for North East Guadalcanal Constituency, Jamie Lency Vokia.
This means that MP Vokia will be facing trial for only two allegations of bribery in relation to the April 17 National General Election.
Judge Augustine Aulanga struck out three grounds of Undue Influence and two grounds of Bribery.
“The application to strike out is partially granted,” he added.
He said grounds 4c and d and 5a to c are struck out accordingly.
“Consequently, only grounds 4a, and b, are remaining grounds that will proceed to trial,” Judge Aulanga added.
Wilson Rano of Rano & Company, who represents Vokia, told Solomon Star outside of court that the Judge first struck out the further amended petition because the petitioner Bradley Lenga did not sign it.
He said the judge then struck out/dismissed some of the grounds due to insufficient evidence.
This matter will return to court on October 28 at 9.30am for a Pre-Trial Conference.
MP Vokia and his lawyer made the application to strike out the petition, saying petitioner’s allegations are unfounded, lacking the specificity and evidentiary support required to proceed to trial.
They argued that petition is frivolous and vexatious as it is based on speculative and vague assertions that do not meet the legal thresholds for proving bribery or undue influence.
They further submitted that the petition fails to disclose a reasonable cause of action and should therefore be dismissed in its entirety.
Mr Lenga was one of the candidates for the North East Guadalcanal Constituency Seat. Mr Lenga is represented by Gabriel Suri of Suri’s Law Practice.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
