By FRANCIS RODNEY PULU
THE election petition filed by petitioner Levi Wartovo against Wau Waria MP, Hon. Marsh Marsh Narewec was dismissed by the National Court on last week Thursday.
Justice Ellenas Batari dismissed the case on grounds of incompetency and the petitioner failing to fulfil the requirements under the organic law.
Justice Batari said there was no sufficient especially the requirement to put the occupation and residential address of the witnesses attesting to the petition.
Lawyer representing the respondent and Wau Waria MP, Solomon Wanis of Wanis Lawyers told Sunday Bulletin that before a petitioner files a petition, he or she needs to comply with all these requirements and in this case, there was a failure to comply with those requirements so the court found that the petition was incompetent and was dismissed.
“It is a relieve that we have gone through where we have filed the objection to the incompetency of the petition itself whether it is relatively before the court or not and that goes to the credibility of the petition which are substantial requirements under the organic law.
So, there is no more petitions in court so the MP can now continue to focus with his electoral duties,” he said.
A relieved MP Narewec said he is proud of his lawyer who was very supportive all this time giving advice and comfort throughout the court proceedings.
“We have finally come out of this and I am really happy. I want to take this time to thank my wife and my family who have been really playfully behind and also my supporters back at home.
This win is for the district because it is a new district and they want to see many things happening. Now that the petition has been dismissed, we are looking more to concentrate on what we need to do for the district, “he said.
Meanwhile, the MP appealed to his supporters and the non-supporters that the court has made its decision and has dismissed the petition.
“So that means there is no more challenges and I appeal to those who support me and those who did not to respect the court decision. We should respect the court’s decision and we should come together and help develop our district,” he said.
He further appealed to the public servants that the doubt and the clearance made by the court has made it clear, there is now one leader in the district, they should start doing their job.
