Associate Justice, His Honour Philip Banks, who presided over the writ of prohibition case involving the National Elections Commission (NEC) and several defeated candidates of the 2014 special senatorial election, did not rule
Monday after listening to all parties’ legal arguments in the chambers of the Supreme Court.
Parties involved in the case argued adequately before the Justice in Chambers as to whether or not the writ of Prohibition should be granted as provided for by law.
The hearing, which was considered a legal conference, lasted for more than 3 hours with defeated candidates and their staunchest supporters filling the court to its full capacity.
With just four days to the Senate election for a new Pro-Temp, it remains unclear when Justice Banks will rule in this matter.
Prior to the hearing, Justice Banks informed lawyers representing the parties that the High Court will not entertain arguments relating to complaints filed by defeated senatorial candidates. He said Monday’s hearing was instead meant to determine whether or not NEC was right to certificate winners of the 2014 special Senatorial election while investigation into election complaints against it (NEC) was pending.
The writ of prohibition was filed late Friday evening against the National Election Commission in order to withhold the certification of senator elect Cllr. Varney G. Sherman, Chairman of the ruling Unity Party.