PNG court application challenging PM's election adjourned

4:25 pm on 6 November 2019

A Papua New Guinea Supreme Court application challenging the election of James Marape as prime minister has been adjourned for further directions.

The Supreme Court in Papua New Guinea.

The Supreme Court in Papua New Guinea. Photo: RNZI/Johnny Blades

The application, filed by the leader of the Opposition, Belden Namah, seeks a legal interpretation of Mr Marape's election by parliament on 30 May, The Post Courier reports.

That follows the ousting of former prime minister, Peter O'Neill.

The court has been asked to interpret whether it was constitutional for Mr O'Neill to withdraw his own nomination for prime minister instead of the MP that nominated him.

Mr Namah said it was a substantial constitutional question which only the court could answer.

The matter has been adjourned until 18 November.