30 Apr 2014

Newly elected Niue MP challenged

2:52 pm on 30 April 2014

A Niue MP who won an assembly seat this month after straws were drawn following a tied vote is being challenged.

Dion Taufitu of the village of Toi faces a petition for an inquiry from Mokaelalini Vaha.

Ms Vaha claims four voters unlawfullly took part in the village election.

She claims two voters who were on the roll flew in from New Zealand to cast a vote and two others living on Niue did not meet the residency qualifications to vote in the constitutency.

The hearing is before Chief Justice Patrick Savage of the Maori Land Court on May 7th.

Last week, Toke Talagi was re-elected as premier after securing a 12 to eight majority in the assembly.