The declaration of Patrick Pruaitch as member for Aitape-Lumi will be challenged in the court of disputed returns.
Candidate and runner-up of the open seat, Emmanuel Solwai Mambei, has lodged the election petition at the National Court, saying he has immense support from people in the district, including candidates who contested the Aitape-Lumi open seat in the recent 2017 national elections.
Mambei says bribery is among the number of allegations leveled against the party leader of the National Alliance Party, and now Leader of the Opposition.
The practicing lawyer spoke to TVWan News in a phone interview today, about the election petition.
Salome Vincent with more