KOTA KINABALU, Aug 14 — The Election Court has allowed the first election petition against Barisan Nasional in GE13, over the Kota Marudu parliamentary seat that was won by Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, The Star Online reported today.

The news portal added that the court cleared him of any wrongdoing in the polls.

The election petition was brought by defeated PKR candidate Datuk Maijol Mahap in which he had pointed to Ongkili's alleged non-compliance of the electoral rules as well as corrupt practices in the May 5 polls, The Star said.

Justice Yew Jen Kie, however, struck out some of the preliminary objections raised by Returning Officer Lovita Koisun and the Election Commission, who were named as second and third respondents respectively.

Justice Yew fixed the hearing of the petition for 10 days from August 19.