ELECTION petition administrator Joseph Yagi made a decision last Thursday which, on the face of it, looked a little uncaring and even irresponsible.
On the basis of the evidence before him, he determined that there existed a real danger of possible violence between supporters of the petitioner and the MP at Kundiawa, the venue where the petition is currently being heard.
venue.
After much deliberation, Justice Yagi set the trial date for Sept 1, refused the application, and determined Kundiawa would remain the venue for the trial.
Many would be aghast. How can a judge determine a venue to be potentially unsafe on the basis of the evidence before him and then declare the same venue for a trial?
Is that not rash and an irresponsible decision? Maybe so for other kinds of court cases but this judge had had enough of shifting ballot papers and court venues.
As election petition administrator, he has seen and dealt with enough. He (first respondent).
Justice Yagi fairly told the two men their place and their duties and responsibilities as leaders, principal among them being the need to prevent violence by controlling unruly supporters and ensuring there is fair and speedy dispensation of justice.
The extra expenses and time expanded in moving ballot boxes from one area to another was unnecessary if both parties demonstrated leadership and responsibility. While he accepted that threats of physical violence during the trial existed he contended that the onus was upon Kuman and Dekena to control their supporters.
“There is a National Court in Kundiawa town,” Justice Yagi declared.
“The people most affected by the dispute are from Gumine. They are entitled to attend and witness the proceedings of the court.”
Justice Yagi castigated Kuman and Dekena for not regulating their supporters but it was obvious other election petition contestants were included in his reprimand.
Violence occurs during elections and afterwards at events such as during election petitions or when the incumbent member is trying very hard to deliver services because there is lack of leadership.
Candidates who run for elections do not control their supporters and often encourage violence.
In one electorate in the Highlands a candidate said of a murder perpetrated by his supporters.
“This life is nothing. I will compensate for it when I get K10 million.”
The candidate won his elections and made good his promise.
Where the money came from remains unknown.
The point of this discourse and the basis for Justice Yagi’s decision is the lack of real leadership in the political arena at present.
We have a bunch of people tussling for leadership at the premier political institution at the pinnacle of leadership. Are they real leaders? It requires leaders of the highest calibre, of exacting standards and stiffest discipline.
It requires men and women of high moral integrity and chivalry, of humble and chaste demeanour, of incorruptible principles and unwavering support for the rule of law, who stand for freedom, justice and liberty and the dignity and beauty of nature.
They are, in the word Jesus Christ gave of leaders, “hypocrites” – people who do not practise what they preach.
When you have a lot of such people in a sacrosanct institution such as the National Parliament, even its sanctity is violated.
Mob rule is introduced because the leadership is too weak.
Violence spreads as order recedes and the rule of law collapses. Chaos ensues.
The death of nations and empires rests on their leadership.
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ELECTION petition administrator Joseph Yagi made a decision last Thursday which, on the face of it, looked a little uncaring and even irresponsible.
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