Maenu’u latest to win election petition

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The MP for Lau and Mbaelelea Ben Maenu’u is the latest to win his election petition after it was struck out by the high court yesterday.

Only last week, the MP for North Malaita Daniel Waneoroa won his petition in another “strike out” decision.

Most of the winning MPs have so far won their petitions without full trials.

Yesterday, Hon Justice Michael Collin Pitakaka ruled against the petitioners and directed that the petition be struck out.

Maenu’u had filed on 9 July 2024 for the petition against him to be struck out. The petition was filed against him by former MP for Lau Baelelea Augustin Auga Maeue and Harry Philip, on 27 May 2024.

The Petitioners alleged three instances of fraudulent voting by agents of Maenu’u, four instances of election bribery, and claimed that the respondent’s corrupt and illegal practices was in breach of the Electoral Act 2018.

In response, Maenu’u had sought to strike out the petition on the grounds that: It was frivolous and vexatious, and that the allegations were insufficient to warrant a hearing.

The MP for Lau/Baelelea argued that the petition’s claims were criminal in nature, whereas election petitions were civil matters, making them beyond the court’s jurisdiction.

Justice Pitakaka ruled that the petition was brought before the court on filing on 27 May 2024 which alleged guilt against Maenu’u and his agent which was criminal in nature, however, the court do not have jurisdiction to hear the petition in its criminal jurisdiction.

In striking out the petition, Justice Pitakaka directed that a certificate be issued to the Governor-General, Speaker of the National Parliament, and the Electoral Commission, confirming the validity of

the election of Maenu’u as the duly elected candidate for Lau

Mbaelelea Constituency, Malaita Province.