International auditing firm KPMG has agreed to audit the contentious issue of the number of pink sheets filed by the petitioners free of charge.

Justice William Atuguba, president of the panel of judges hearing the election petition at the Supreme Court, announced to the court on Wednesday first thing after they resumed from lunch break.

In conveying the message, he described the offer as a “certificate of good news”.

A sense of gratitude filled the court audience as the Judge asked the Court registrar to “duly acknowledge [KPMG]” for the gesture.

He described their decision as “noble” and “patriotic” and asked that counsel and witness emulate their gesture by proceeding the second half of court proceedings "without acrimony”.

Officials of KPMG were in court to acknowledge the Judge’s satisfaction of the “good news”.