AMKAT MAI DISSMISSED FROM OFFICE. COURT ORDERS BY-ELECTION FOR SANDAUN REGIONAL SEAT

Lawyers representing  Tekwie  and Solo

The National Court today upheld the election petitions of Simon Solo and John Tekwie against Amkat Mai and declared the election of Amkat Mai null and void. Both Solo and Tekwie had raised the issue of the impropriety of voting by supporters of Amkat Mai during the 2012 National Elections. Amkat Mai had polled 27, 783 votes to beat his closest rival, former Governor, Simon Solo who polled 22,775. John Tekwie had polled the third highest votes.

The Court dismissed all of the evidence of the witnesses of Amkat Mai and accepted the evidence of the Petitioners witnesses and found that there had been breaches of the law. The Court found that there is credible evidence of underage voting in all polling areas in Oksapmin.

Amkat Mai is now dismissed from office as Governor of Sandaun Province. The Court has ordered that Sandaun go back to the Polls to elect a new Member of Parliament. The Court has ordered Amkat Mai to pay for the legal costs of both Simon Solo and John Tekwie.