Youngest Member of Parliament, Ezekiel Anisi, passes on

The current sitting member for Ambunti-Drekikir, Ezekiel Anisi, has tragically passed away.

The Returning Officer for Ambunti-drekikir, Benjamin Gawi, has confirmed the passing of the late MP, who collapsed yesterday afternoon at a guest house in Port Moresby.

The late member was the son of former East Sepik Premier, late Alex Anisi.

Anisi was voted into parliament in 2012 national elections; however, his win was challenged in court against the grounds that he was underaged.

Former Member for Drekikir-Ambunti, Tony Aimo was then admitted as the member by the court of disputed returns.

An appeal against the court was made by late Ezekiel, where he called for a by-election in 2013 that saw him coming out successful as the MP until his sudden death.

Late Ezekiel, a member of the People’s National Congress Party, became the country’s youngest politician at the age of 25, and has now left an unattended seat.

Mr Gawi stated that this is a first-of-its-kind case for a sitting member to pass away during the campaigning period.

Gawi and his officers are now waiting for directions from the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission.

Image: Ezekiel Anisi’s Facebook page