Foreign Affairs minister Milner Tozaka has all the reasons to smile after the High Court rejected last Wednesday an election petition brought against him by a losing candidate.
High Court judge Rex Faukona dismissed the petition filed Jenning Movobule, who contested against Tozaka in the 2014 national general election for the North Vella La Vella Constituency.
Foukona ruled in favour of Tozaka on a technical ground basing on the fact that the petition was signed by another person other than Movobule, who lodged the case.
Tozaka was represented by Sol-Law, while Light Lawyers stood in for Movobule.
Speaking to the Sunday Star, Tozaka said he was relieved that the election petition case has been decided.
“The case has bothered me a bit from doing what I am supposed to do for my people and country,” he said.
“The decision gave me a sense of relief and confidence to now concentrate on what I was elected and tasked to do.”
Meanwhile, another election petition filed by former prime minister Gordon Darcy Lilo is being heard in the High Court.
Lilo surprisingly lost the Gizo-Kolombangara seat in the last election to Jimson Tanangada.
He alleged Tanangada, who is currently the Minister for Rural Development, won because he bribed voters.
Tanangada has staunchly refuted the allegation and is defending his victory.
The case returns to court tomorrow when Lilo is expected to appear in the witness box to give his statement.
By AATAI JOHN
