18 Dec 2003

PNG governor general election challenged in court

4:53 pm on 18 December 2003

The election of Papua New Guinea's new Governor General, Sir Pato Kakaraya, is being challenged in the Supreme Court.

A challenge has been filed by the losing candidate, Sir Albert Kipalan, claiming that there has been a breach of voting procedures, defective proposal form, and undue influence on some MPs before the vote.

Sir Albert had won an earlier election in September but the outcome was challenged and the Supreme Court ordered fresh elections.

The court is expected to set a date for Sir Albert's application this week.

Sir Pato is scheduled to be sworn in on January the 20th.