Court throws out Dei Open challenge

AN petition by a losing candidate in last year’s general election for the Dei Open seat. The petition challenged the general election returns was dismissed by the Waigani National Court yesterday.
Judge Collin Makail dismissed the petition by James Pinis against Wesley Nukundj and the Electoral Commission for lack of evidence.
Nukundj said the petition was a waste of time. “It’s a relief as a state minister and the petition has consumed much of my time to prepare witnesses,” he said. “The people in the district should allow for developments and let the government services to operate freely.”