Polye back as Kandep MP

By BOURA GORUKILA
A COURT has declared Don Polye the Kandep MP following a recount of the votes cast during the 2017 general election, won then by Alfred Manase.
National Court judge Justice David Cannings accepted the result of the recount which Polye had asked the court for after he lost the seat.
The recount showed that he polled 22,237 votes to Manase’s total of 21,033 votes. Justice Manning dismissed Manase’s motion challenging the result of the court-ordered recount.
The court declaration will be effective from 3pm on Monday, April 19.
“An orderly and peaceful transfer of powers, functions, duties and responsibilities from Manase to Polye is to take effect four days after the date of judgment,” he said.
He ordered the Registrar of the National Court and Supreme Court Ian Augerea to forward a copy of the court order to the Clerk to Parliament and the Electoral Commission.
He also ordered Manase to pay Polye’s court costs as regards the petition.
Polye thanked the people of Kandep for their patience.
“My win signifies correcting the wrongs.
“Four years has not been easy. I will try to be the best leader for Kandep and PNG,” Polye said.
“I have learnt that there are many wrongs in our systems (which) must be corrected.
“I will not get tired of doing what is good and (the next) 12 months is sufficient for me to do those corrections.”
The recount was ordered on July 4, 2019, after Polye filed an election petition challenging the results of the 2017 election in the National Court.
Polye was represented by lawyer Kipa Maleva.