Judicial Scrutiny of the Electoral Process in a Developing Democratic State

University of Papua New Guinea Press. 2011. Hard cover. Fine.. 231 pp., index. . The free and fair conduct of an election is a strong indicator of the democratic state. Where the democratic process is usurped by intimidation, bribery, corruption and violence, the whole election and standing of the members of the legislature are brought into question. And for a small and weak democratic state such incidences can result in political instability which often threatens the very survival of the nation-state. In this context, it is usually the judiciary that plays an important role in the preservation and promotion of the democratic process. In the electoral process, the judiciary plays the role of the referee, ensuring that the players in the election field play out the election game in a free and fair manner--playing within the bounds of the law. The role of an active, independent and strong judiciary in the electoral process gives credibility to the electoral process and confidence to the elected members of the legislature. This book highlights the pivotal role the judiciary has played in promoting democratic principles in Papua New Guinea through the electoral process. The vital role that judiciary has played over the last 27 years has contributed to the stability of Papua New Guinea with its diverse cultures, and projected it as one nation, one country and one people.