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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pakoa Maraki Kaltonga, also known as Bakoa Kaltongga (born 6 April 1969[1]), is a ni-Vanuatu politician. He is a member of the Leaders Party of Vanuatu.[2]
He was elected Member of Parliament for the Rural Efate constituency[3] in the September 2008 general election, and was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs in Prime Minister Edward Natapei's government.[4]
In June 2009, the election of all four Members for Rural Efate, Kaltonga included, was invalidated by the Supreme Court due to irregularities.[3][5][6] Kaltonga consequently lost his position as Minister for Foreign Affairs,[7] and was replaced by Joe Natuman.[8] A by-election on 6 August saw Mr Kaltongga win back his seat,[9] and he subsequently regained a place in Cabinet, as Minister of Justice and Women's Affairs.[10] He lost his place in government when Edward Natapei was ousted by a vote of no confidence on 2 December 2010.[11][12]
On 24 April 2011, new Prime Minister Sato Kilman was himself ousted in a vote of no confidence, and Serge Vohor succeeded him. Vohor appointed Kaltonga Minister of Finance in his Cabinet.[13] Three weeks later, however, Vohor's election and premiership were voided by the Court of Appeal, and Kaltonga lost his position in government.[14] On 16 June, Kilman's election and premiership were themselves voided by the Supreme Court, on constitutional grounds, and previous Prime Minister Edward Natapei became caretaker Prime Minister until a new leader could be elected. Kaltonga was restored as caretaker Minister of Justice.[15]