An election petition against Enga Governor, Peter Ipatas, has been thrown out bythe Court of disputed returns in its entirety.
The petitioner who was runner up Sandy Talita alleged illegal practises, bribery, omissions and deprivation duringthe 2012 elections.
Ipatas lawyer Paula Mawa; however, argued thatthe entire petition was structurally defective and should be thrown out.
Presiding Judge Salatiel Lenalia ruled atthe Mt Hagen hearing thatthe petitioner failed to plead his allegations on illegal practise including omission of voter names, bribery and depriving voters as required by law.
The court futher orderedthe petitioner to pay legal costs ofthe two respondents, includingthe electoral commission.
Governor Ipatas received 140,000 votes inthe elections andthe petitioner, about half that as runner-up.
Meanwhile,the pre-trial ofthe second petitioner, Nathan Pyari, againstthe incumbent is in Port Moresby.
