PNG’s opposition leader ‘suspended’

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Papua New Guinea’s opposition leader’s 2012 election victory has been stayed by the National Court.

The runner-up in Don Polye’s Kandep electorate, Alfred Manase, has successfully applied for a recount of a number of disputed ballot boxes.

Polye has told local media he blames agents in the Electoral Commission for an error which led to the stay order.

It remains unclear whether Polye remains an MP while the recount is underway, but in a statement following the court decision, the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill referred to him as a “suspended” MP.

“I am just a victim of an error by the returning officer,” Poyle said.

“I urge my people of Kandep, my supporters and clansmen to remain calm as I consult my lawyers on the next course of action,” Polye said.

O’Neil’s also welcomed another court ruling which dealt a further political blow to Polye – the Supreme Court’s dismissal of his challenge to the constitutionality of a massive loan from the Swiss bank, UBS.

Polye had alleged the prime minister circumvented the rules in taking out the controversial US$1.2 billion loan in 2014 without consulting parliament.

The former treasurer was sacked by O’Neill in March 2014 for refusing to sign for the loan from the UBS Bank for PNG to buy a new stake in Oil Search.

Poyle is the leader of the Triumph Heritage and Empowerment Party, the second largest party in the coalition government. - PNC