22 Nov 2017

PNG minister has election petition against him dismissed

2:22 pm on 22 November 2017

The Papua New Guinea Supreme Court has dismissed an election petition against the MP for Moresby South, Justin Tkatchenko.

Papua New Guinea Lands & Physical Planning Minister Justin Tkatchenko

Papua New Guinea Lands & Physical Planning Minister Justin Tkatchenko Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

The petition was brought by the runner-up in the June poll, Samson Kirilyo.

He had alleged the counting of 64 ballot boxes had been done without scrutiny and a number of other boxes had been counted in the same manner.

Mr Tkatchenko told his supporters outside the court that he was delighted with the result.

"I am here to get on with the job. I have a big responsibility ahead of me, not only to look after all our people of Moresby South which is number one priority but also your government, your prime minister, has given me a big responsibility to look after two very important ministries in our country.

That is Lands and that is APEC coming up next year."

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