4 Dec 2012

PNG Cabinet Minister loses seat after election challenge

2:30 pm on 4 December 2012

Papua New Guinea's National Court has ordered a by-election be conducted for the Kairuku-Hiri electorate in Central Province.

NBC News reports the Court of Disputed Returns has thrown out the 2013 election win by Education Minister, Paru Aihi and upheld an allegation of bribery.

Mr Aihi is the second MP to suffer an election blow through the Court of Disputed Returns.

The first was Ambunti-Drekikir's Ezekiel Anisi who was ousted on the grounds that he was under the legal age to stand for elections and that his name was not on the common roll.

Mr Aihi has indicated he will challenge his dismissal in the Supreme Court.