South Sudan High Court sets election petition hearing date
February 12, 2015 (JUBA) – The High Court in South Sudan on Thursday set 3 March, 2015 as date to hear a legal suit in which the opposition want the 30 June elections declared null and void.
A lawyer representing the alliance of political parties presented within 20-minutes the petition before chief justice Chan Reec Madut.
“We will inform the National Elections Commission and the ministry of justice to reply and be before the court on 3rd March,” said Madut.
Several people, including the main opposition party leader, were in court.
The petitioners want court to cancel the 30 June date announced by NEC, arguing that the country still lacks a permanent constitution and has not yet conducted its census as constitutionally-mandated.
Lam Akol, the leader of the country’s main opposition party (SPLM-DC) lauded the High Court’s ruling on a petition they filed last month.
“The case has been admitted and we are pleased with the progress of this sitting,” he said.
“We think it achieved the desired results and therefore what remains is to look at the substance of the case,” he added.
The mandate of the current government comes to an end on 9 July this year.
REMARKABLE RULING
South Sudanese activist, Edmund Yakani described the court ruling as a remarkable achievement for the 18 oppostion parties seeking nullification of the mid-year elections.
“The decision of the High Court on concerns of the political parties petition against the elections is a remarkable decision and it demonstrates a will for ensuring that democracy exist or prevail. We urge the court to be firm, independent and objective in handling cases for the sake of meeting public interest,” he told Sudan Tribune on Friday.
(ST)