Papua New Guinea's national court has ruled that Southern Highlands Governor William Powi vacate the seat he won in 2017's general election.
The destroyed Air Nuigini Dash 8 at Mendi Airport Photo: Supplied
The court ordered a recount of the votes, in response to a petition filed by another candidate disputing Powi's election win.
The result triggered unrest and violence by supporters of rival candidates.
The unrest lasted into 2018 and included an Air Niugini Dash-8 aircraft being set on fire and destroyed at Mendi airport, prompting the declaration of a State of Emergency in Southern Highlands.
The violence also saw angry mobs set fire to the main provincial courthouse, the governor's residence and other buildings.
The burnt down courthouse in Mendi, the capital of PNG's Southern Highlands province Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
The petitioner, Pastor Bernard Kaku, claimed that the returning officer failed to complete and determine the result of the election by scrutiny and prematurely declared Powi the winner without reaching an absolute majority on the first preference votes.
Justice David Cannings found irregularities in the process by which the election writ was signed before being returned to Government House.
Finding that Powi was not duly elected, the judge ordered a recount of votes to be submitted to the court by 5 November.
Powi is now suspended and barred from discharging the powers, functions and duties and responsibilities of the office of governor.
PNG's next general elections are scheduled for mid-2022.
