The National Court has suspended current Southern Highlands Province Governor William Powi from office effective August 31st and ordered a recount for the regional seat after a long battle in the court of disputed returns. This follows the Supreme Court’s decision last week in dismissing a slip rule application by Powi and the Electoral Commission on a National Court’s decision earlier that ordered a recount. Justice David Cannings in handing down the decision via video link ordered that the result of the recount be presented to the court by November 05, 2021, nullifying the election results for the regional seat in 2017. Justice Cannings made the decision on the grounds that Powi had not reached the absolute majority of votes when former Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato made the declaration in the 2017 National General Elections. The petition was filed by runner up candidate Pastor Bernard Kaku in a lengthy court battle. Justice Cannings also ordered all parties to return back to court to check they comply with the orders.