BY ROMINAH FAKA
The election petition against MP Jammie Lency Vokia for the North East Guadalcanal Constituency was mentioned in court yesterday and has been adjourned to December 2 for further discussion.
During the hearing, which was scheduled as a Pre-Trial Conference (PTC), the petitioner’s lawyer, Gabriel Suri, informed the court that they plan to withdraw the petition and will submit a sworn statement with their application.
The respondent’s lawyer, Jillian Soaika, objected to this withdrawal and requested an adjournment, citing a pending court of appeal judgment that may impact the Vokia case.
The court instructed the Attorney General, representing the second respondent, to file necessary documents, and the respondent to submit a sworn statement.
Previously, the petitioner filed allegations of four instances of bribery and three instances of undue influence against Vokia.
On September 2, 2024, the court dismissed three undue influence claims and two bribery allegations, allowing only two bribery claims to proceed to PTC and trial.
Both parties are preparing for the upcoming mention on December 2.
