The election of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape 18 months ago is legal.  
 
This was the overwhelming decision reached by the five men Supreme Court bench today in Port Moresby.
 
The Supreme Court reference filled by Opposition Leader Belden Namah, asking the Court interpretation on the election of James Marape as prime minister on 30 May last year, followed the country's laws.
 
Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, Justice David Cannings, Justice George Manuhu, Justice Derrick Hartshorn, and Justice Ere Kariko found an action by Parliament Speaker Job Pomat did not breach any specific Parliament Standing Orders or the Constitution.
 
All decisions were reached individually by the judges.
 
The majority of the Judge's decision was reached because no Members of Parliament objected on 30 May 2019, when Parliament was in session during the election of a new Prime Minister, after then Prime Minister Peter O'Neill resigned from the country's top post.
 
The overwhelming decision by the five men Supreme Court bench was reached to maintain the separation of powers by the Legislature and Judiciary arm of the Government.

SOURCE: NBC PNG NEWS/PACNEWS

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