RULING on the application to strike out the election petition filed against North East Guadalcanal Constituency, Jamie Lency Vokia will be delivered on September 2.
This followed the hearing of the strikeout application last Friday afternoon by Judge Augustine Aulanga.
Mr Vokia (Respondent) engages Wilson Rano and Julia Sogedy of Rano & Company, whilst the petitioner Bradley Lenga engages Gabriel Suri of Suri’s Law Practice.
The respondent’s lawyer had submitted that the petitioner’s allegations are unfounded, lacking the specificity and evidentiary support required for it 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 and MP Vokia had both contested the National General Election 2024 for the North East Guadalcanal Constituency.
MP Vokia won the election with 2468 votes, while Mr Lenga polled 2428 votes.
Mr Lenga filed the election petition against MP Vokia on May 29 and later filed a further amended petition on August 9.
The petitioner’s further amended petition centers on claims that the respondent was disqualified at the time of election due to alleged acts of bribery and undue influence.
This is especially on allegations of Bribery and Undue Influence.
For the allegation of Bribery, the petitioner alleges MP Vokia or his agents have provided goods, money and other inducements to voters in exchange of their votes.
These allegations include instances of distributing rice, noodles, and cash purportedly to influence voters’ decision.
In relation to the Undue Influence, the petitioner claims that the respondent’s agents used threats and intimidation to coerce voters into supporting the respondent. These allegations include threats of eviction and physical harm if voters did not comply.
The petitioner argues that these allegations, if proven true, constitute violation of laws and should render the respondent’s election null and void.
Due to the petitioner’s Further Amendment Election Petition on August 9, the respondent filed the Amended Application to Strike Out the Further Amended Election Petition on August 14, followed by the hearing of the strikeout application last Friday.
Vokia was elected into office during April’s national general election replacing her wife, Ethel.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
