26 May 2011

Electoral petition decision in Niue due by the end of this week

7:21 pm on 26 May 2011

A decision on an electoral petition in Niue challenging the residential qualifications of two voters in the Makefu village seat is expected to be announced later this week.

The current Makefu MP Salilo Tongia won the seat by just one vote in the country's election earlier this month.

If the petition is successful and the votes are recounted, Mr Tongia could be ousted and replaced by the former MP Tofua Puletama, who brought the petition.

Judge Wilson Isaac reserved his decision after the hearing on Tuesday but he returns to New Zealand this weekend and his ruling is expected before he leaves the island.