31 Aug 2002

Fiji judge may be asked to review electoral ruling

9:23 am on 31 August 2002

Fiji judge Anthony Gates, whose ruling in the court of disputed returns forced the opposition leader, Prem Singh, out of parliament, may be asked to review his decision.

This follows the unanimous ruling by the three Supreme Court judges that Justice Gates ruling was wrong but they could not reverse it because according to the constitution, it was final.

The Fiji Times quotes Mr Singh as saying the only option now is for Justice Gates to review that decision in the light of the Supreme Court ruling.

Mr Singh says Justice Gates should do the honourable thing and reverse his decision without being asked.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party member who has replaced Mr Singh, Krishna Prasad, says he doesn't care if the decision was wrong and will take his seat in parliament next month.