PNG Court Nullifies Lagaip Election, Orders Fresh Vote
By Staff Reporter
A National Court in Papua New Guinea has overturned the Lagaip Open supplementary election result, citing widespread bribery and electoral misconduct, and directed the PNG Electoral Commission to conduct a by-election.
In a ruling handed down by the Waigaini National court this week, the court declared the election outcome invalid, following a successful challenge by petitioner Tomait Kapili. The court found that the electoral process was significantly compromised by illegal activities that undermined democratic principles.
Justice Joseph Yagi, presiding over the case, delivered a detailed 40-page judgment in which he determined that the declared MP, Aimos Akem, and his agents engaged in acts of bribery during the campaign. Justice Yagi noted that the evidence presented met the threshold of proof beyond reasonable doubt. “These acts of bribery strike at the core of democratic elections,” he stated. “This behavior cannot be tolerated or allowed to persist.”
The court issued nine consequential orders as part of its decision. Among the most significant were:
- The nullification of Aimos Akem’s declaration as the duly elected Member of Parliament for Lagaip Open.
- A formal declaration that the Lagaip Open seat is vacant.
- An instruction to the PNG Electoral Commission to organize a by-election for the electorate.
Additional court directives addressed legal costs and confirmed that the judgment would take immediate effect. The ruling has been widely interpreted as a strong message from the judiciary against election-related corruption.
Tomait Kapili, who lodged the petition, expressed his appreciation for the court’s decision and said the outcome was not only a personal victory but a win for the people of Lagaip. “Justice has prevailed. The people deserve leaders chosen freely and fairly, not through bribery,” he said outside the courtroom.
Legal commentators across PNG have welcomed the verdict, describing it as a vital reaffirmation of judicial oversight in safeguarding the integrity of the country's democratic process. The case sets a significant precedent as PNG continues efforts to address electoral irregularities and reinforce the rule of law.
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