The Papua New Guinea Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion has successfully defeated an election petition against him.
In the National Court in Kokopo, East New Britain on Wednesday, Justice Catherine Davani dismissed the petition filed by Sir John Kaputin, who was beaten by Mr Dion in last year's election.
The National newspaper reports that objections by Leo Dion, the Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen and the Electoral Commission to the competency of the petition were upheld.
Sir John Kaputin accused Mr Dion and his agents of illegal and gross malpractices and claimed there were irregularities by the Electoral Commission before and during the vote-counting period.
In handing down the ruling, Justice Davani said the petition lacked substance, and said it was general, vague, confusing, contradicting and embarrassing.
