Plaintiff’s witness not informed of sitting

Madam Justice Jacqueline Padovani Grima put off the hearing of the case filed by the PN on alleged vote-counting errors during the counting of election votes, after the plaintiff's final witness did not attend for the sitting.

The PN is claiming votes pertaining to its candidates Claudette Buttigieg and Frederic Azzopardi were mislaid during the counting of votes. Due to the misplaced votes, PL candidates Edward Scicluna and Justyne Caruana were elected on the 8th and 13th district respectively.

In the last sitting, PN lawyer Therese Comodini Cachia informed the court that there was only one other witness to be heard prior to both sides voicing their submissions: Professor Anton Buhagiar, whose testimony was not expected to be lengthy, was to prove the prejudice the Nationalist Party was subjected to in parliament. Dr Comodini Cachia explained that the summons were not delivered, and taht Buhagiar was not informed to attend court.

Dr Paul Lia, appearing for Labour MPs Justyne Caruana and Joe Debono Grech, and Minister Edward Scicluna, argued against witnesses who rather than testifying about facts, would merely take the stand to express their opinions.

Dr Susan Sciberras is appearing on behalf of the Attorney General and Dr Ian Refalo, on behalf of the Electoral Commission.

Madam Justice Jacqueline Padovani Grima postponed the case for 15 February 2014.