By Vasinatta Yama – EMTV News, Mt Hagen
Mt Hagen National Court has dismissed the election petition case against Kundiawa Gembogl MP, William Onglo on Friday (June 8) .
Justice Ravunama Auka dismissed the case based on the grounds of incompetence. Justice Auka ruled that the petitioner, Tobias Kulang failed to plead relevant facts. Justice Auka said the petition by former MP Tobias Kulang was based on errors and omissions, during the counting of the 2017 National Elections for Kundiawa Gembogl seat.
Kulang challenged Onglo’s election victory, stating that two disputed boxes from Mitnande LLG, containing 2363 votes were not included in the counting. However, Justice Auka ruled that the petitioner did not plead relevant facts to demonstrate that there was proper legal polling at Ward 3 and 6 in the Mitnande LLG.
Justice Auka said that there is no guarantee that Kulang will receive majority of the votes from the disputed boxes. He told the parties involved that the Court does not determine whether possible scenarios would affect results in an election petition.
The National Court ordered the Petitioner to pay the costs of the First and Second Respondents, Onglo and the Electoral Commission, and terminated the petition case.
Outside the courthouse, Onglo told his supporters that he will continue the work of the former MP, Tobias Kulang and urged his supporters to respect each other. Onglo said he has plans to develop Agriculture business in the Kundiawa Gembogl area.
