The long election dispute over the Kundiawa-Gembogl seat has now landed the acting Electoral Commissioner Magaret Vagi in hot water.
She was slapped with contempt charges for alleged failure to comply with court orders directing the recount of the votes for the Kundiawa-Gembogl seat.
Petitioner William Gol Onglo filed the contempt charges accusing Electoral Commission of defying a direct court order. Mr Onglo also queries the whereabouts of an alleged K3.6 million that was given to the Electoral Commission by Treasury specifically for conducting the recount of the Kundiawa-Gembogl votes.
However, the matter had to be adjourned to this Thursday, April 30, after the Electoral Commission’s lawyer informed the court that he was unprepared and required more time.
Onglo’s lawyer, Emmanuel Isaac, pushed for an urgent hearing, arguing that continued delays undermine both the authority of the court and public confidence in the election outcome.
However, the court ruled that procedural issues needed to be addressed, including objections raised by the Commission and insufficient time in serving court documents.
Justice Joseph Yagi ordered the matter to return on Thursday, for the court to deal with any additional preliminary issues as well as the substantive issue.
Onglo’s lawyer also urged the court to summon those accused of contempt to physically appear in court, as pressure mounts for accountability in the stalled recount process.