Returning officer Thomas Pilai said Maladina declared himself during his nomination last month that he was a resident of Alotau by filing the necessary documents.
“He filled out the declaration forms that he has lived in that electorate for five years and I have no right to dispute that.
“I tried to explain to him but he told me that it was his constitutional right,” Pilai said.
“We had a lengthy discussion in the presence of other electoral officers and police officers.”
He said all concerned parties, including Abel, would have the opportunity to challenge Maladina in court should he win the seat.
Pilai said a report on the matter has been given to the Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen when the Alotau electoral team was in Port
Moresby last week to deliver the nomination forms.
Alotau election manager Dadu Daga said he was aware of Abel’s protest.
The National
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