EC to work out cost of holding Goroka open by-election

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THE actual cost to stage the Goroka Open seat by-election in Eastern Highlands is not known yet but the PNG Electoral Commission will look at the 2017 election and work it out, Commissioner Patilias Gamato says.
He told The National on Friday that he had yet to receive a brief from his lawyers concerning the court decision to extend the time frame for the by-election to April.
“I think the defendant (incumbent Goroka MP Henry Ame) is looking at filing a review of the National Court decision at the Supreme Court so that is something we are also mindful about at the moment,” Gamato said.
The Waigani National Court last week upheld an election petition filed by former Goroka MP Bire Kimisopa and ordered a by-election in Goroka.
Ame said he was not satisfied with the decision of the National Court and would file for a review in the Supreme Court.
Ame said the judge erred in his ruling.
Meanwhile, Kimisopa described the court decision as fair.
Ame said that although he was not happy with the court decision, he respected and accepted it.
Ame polled 24,159 to win the seat in 2017. Kimisopa received 22,210 votes — a difference of 1949.
Ame said he had already filed fora judicial review in the Supreme Court.