Court rules for election petition to be advertised in local newspapers

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Picture: FILE

HIGH Court judge Justice Anjala Wati and Justice Kamal Kumar in a joint ruling  granted an application for a petition to be  advertised in the two local newspapers tomorrow.

This is for the 28 respondents in the election petition case which is before the Court of Disputed Returns.

The Court of Disputed Returns had made an order on Monday for SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka and NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad to personally serve the 28 respondents a copy of the petition against the 2018 General Election results.

During the hearing this morning, the petitioners counsel Filimoni  Vosarogo said the petitioners had engaged a bailiff and even tried to deliver  the petition personally but they were unsuccessful.

He said the 28 respondents were evasive and they had also locked themselves up at the Suvavou House building.

The Attorney-General’s counsel Devanesh Sharma responded and said no evidence were presented in court to prove that the respondents were evasive.

Mr Sharma also said the court’s order must be affirmed and that is to have the 28 respondents names be struck out from the petition.

Solicitor General Sharvada Sharma  also echoed similar sentiments and said his client had received a copy of the petition.

Mr Sharma who is appearing on behalf of the Supervisor of Election said the court had made a ruling and this case must be dealt with urgently.

The case has been adjourned to next week on Monday.

*Read more on this story in tomorrow’s edition of The Fiji Times and on our e-edition. Download The Fiji Times app on Google Play Store and Apple Store for breaking news, sport, business and world updates. 

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