THE Electoral Commission was forced to hold a media conference yesterday after polling for the National Capital District was delayed again. 

While candidates and members of the public fumed over the decision, what came out from the media conference was perhaps the highest display of government incompetence. 

The National Capital District’s Election Manager, Kila Ralai, blundered through the conference. He stopped to consult pages of a written statement in his desperate moments under pressure and then blamed candidates and social media for the delay. 

“There was interference,” he said. 

His favorite word of choice, “process,” became an uncomfortable cliché and the subject of memes by the end of the hour as thousands of Papua New Guineans hammered the Commission and the election manager over the poor public representation. 

The Electoral Commission had five years to plan the biggest event in the country’s democratic cycle. They knew all the risks yet did little to mitigate them. 

Kila Ralai claimed to be a veteran of 40 years but in the same breath told the media that he was inexperienced in dealing with elections in NCD. 

“NCD is a new challenge to me.”

The NCD election team admitted, they did not train polling officials and that they “ran out of time.” 

Kila Ralai, denied they were not disorganized after ABC correspondent, Natalie Whiting, put it to him that there appeared to be widespread disorganization in the whole process. 

The press conference ended with one officer lambasting the media for asking ‘unnecessary questions. He was subsequently shut down by a room full of angry journalists. 

Things started to unravel on the eve of polling. 

Candidates were concerned about the presence of “extra ballot boxes” and said the process was irregular and not transparent. 

Hours after the Electoral Commission spoke, candidates including Andy Bawa, Dianne Unagi, Tania Bale and Sylvia Pascoe,  held a separate news conference to highlight the sequence of events that led to the delay. 

“If you’re standing there and you see two to four boxes that look like they have been tampered with, we have to ask those questions. They gave us no reasoning. Everybody did not feel comfortable with what they were saying. 

“When you opened up those boxes, everything was sealed and these four random boxes were not sealed. Something is wrong with that.” 

In Tari, the Prime Minister’s arrival to cast his vote was marred by the arrest of his son and an associate who was carrying more than a million kina in cash. 

James Marape, later said he had no association or knowledge of the money. But the incident has not stopped doubts about the integrity of the election process in the Prime Minister’s own electorate.

Prime Minister, James Marape has distanced himself from the large sum of money police confiscated from his relatives over the weekend. 

He said he has nothing to do with the money.

On Saturday, 2nd July, Police confiscated about K1.56 million from Seth Palipe, at Komo Airport in Hela Province.

Police alleged that Marape’s son, Mospals Marape was also involved and arrested him with Mr Palipe. 

“I have nothing to do with the money that was confiscated by Police who were doing routine checks at Komo Airport,” PM Marape said.

“From Police briefings I received, Police were checking passengers coming in from a charter flight into Komo.

“They discovered large sums of money in the possession of Mr Palipe, and despite him disclosing ownership, source and purpose of the funds, Police arrested him and a local policeman who were on hand to deliver the money safely to a construction site.

“My son, Mospals Marape, who was escorting PM’s Department staff to visit Hides Gas Field areas, was unfortunately linked to the transportation of the funds.

“He was also rounded up and arrested, and despite high tensions, I informed everyone that Police are here to do their job.

“If Police are of the opinion that a person or a cargo warrants search, confiscation and arrest, then so be it, the work of police is not to be interfered with.

“The money was taken into police custody and those arrested were in Police custody until bail was granted two days later.

“This is now a Police matter.”

PM Marape said fake news about an illegal army in Hela had conjured negative views of the province.

“Fake news of an illegal army gives the impression to the country that bad things are happening in Hela,” he said.

“This is far from the truth, especially in this time of elections.

“People have supported a fair campaign, they are now voting for me, I told the people in my campaigns in Hela and PNG for people not to take money to vote. 

“I don’t need money for people to vote me, and in fact they are voting right now and if this money was what I need to win my reelection, then I would be disadvantaged with the money still held by Police.

“They have voted me without being enticed by money since 2007 when I was first elected into Parliament.”

Ballot papers for New Ireland province are being distributed to the two respective electorates of Namatanai and Kavieng in preparation for polling. 

Ballot papers for Namatanai were delivered on Wednesday (June 29) under tight police security.

According to Provincial Returning Officer, Benjamin Kliawi, 31 boxes containing a total of 55,750 ballot papers were distributed to Namatanai electorate.

Meanwhile 21 boxes holding 42,950 ballot papers for Kavieng Open still remain in the holding container at the Kavieng Police Station. 

“Both electorates have a total of 52 boxes which contain a grand total of 98,700 ballot 

papers for New Ireland province,” said Kliawi.

Kliawai also confirmed that for Namatanai, a total of 82 ballot boxes were distributed, 41 of which are for Namatanai open and 41 for the Provincial seat. 

According to the Police Chief, police personnel have been doing 24/7 monitoring and securing of the sensitive materials since the arrival last week Tuesday. 

PPC Chief Inspector, Felix Nebanat says upon the electoral office’s request, police had to secure the perimeter of the storage container and oversee the extraction of the ballot papers. 

“These sensitive materials are transported under heavy escort along the four hour stretch

of the Boluminksi highway to ensure they arrive safely in Namatanai,” Nebanat said. 

PPC Nebanat appealed to the voting populace of New Ireland, candidate scrutineers and police scrutineers to make it their business to know the number of ballot papers for respective LLGs.

“It is critical that you know the total number of ballot papers so quality check or cross examination can be done when it comes to counting,” said PPC Nebanat.

In that way, you help the police in keeping a tab on the election process in order to maintain transparency, he concluded. 

New Ireland, Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector Felix Nebanat, said his men and women will ensure, security for the 2022 National General Election in the province is guaranteed. 

He reiterated this upon the arrival of non-sensitive election materials in Kavieng earlier this week. 

“New Ireland Police is on par with protecting election materials that is kept under police security,” Nebanat said.

He confirmed that a section of the Tomaringa Mobile Squad was tasked to escort the election team to ensure the materials are safely delivered to its designated destination. 

“We have to remain vigilant always in carrying out our duties in making sure this election is safe, fair and secure,” Nebanat said.

New Ireland Provincial Police Commander, Felix Nebanat

PPC Nebanat revealed that his operation order is all set with two sections from Tomaringa mobile squad already on the ground with the PNG Defence Force expected to arrive later this week. 

He said the additional personnel from sister forces and will be embedded into his command 

structure to give support to the 325 local police in the Province. 

Meanwhile PPC Nebanat warned candidates, groups and supporters with the intention to rigg the election to refrain from that intent. 

“I will not hesitate to deal with this offence with the highest level of force to appropriately deal with such situations if and when they arise,” said Nebanat. 

New Ireland non-sensitive election materials

New Ireland Assistant Election Manageress, Annette Bais also stressed that this election is anticipated to be different from the previous elections with higher risks anticipated according to threat analysis. 

However she expressed confidence in the security forces in ensuring the election process comes to a successful conclusion and is carried out transparently and safely. 

She confirmed that the arrival of the non-sensitive materials completes the necessary election 

materials required for polling as New Ireland prepares to join the nation in going into polls in a week’s time.

People’s Reform Party is one political party determined to form Government in the 11th Parliament. 

PRP Leader, James Donald revealed this in Kiunga during a rally. Donald said PRP is ready to transform and reform the country with its policies as the driving factor. 

“We can be an economic power in the Pacific if we embark on better policies that are workable for us,” said Donald.

Incumbent North Fly MP and PRP Leader, James Donald, speaking to the crowd in Western Province.

He urged Papua New Guinean’s not to be lazy but must work the land. He said PRP has endorsed more than 10 candidates to contest the 2022 National General Elections. 

“Our resources are abundant, if we equally share the benefits our communities will see drastic changes,” said the PRP leader.

Donald expressed gratitude towards his people for their trust in his leadership in the past five years and urged voters to choose leaders who are able to deliver essential services.

“Vote for credible leaders who can do more for the people and better their life,” he said.

I spent the whole five years in Opposition bench, now I want to be in Government and emphasize more on Party policies,” he added. 

PRP Supporter at PRP rally in Western province

The incumbent North Fly MP also urged voters around the country to vote for the 12 PRP candidates endorsed by the Party. 

“I will push for reforms to ensure resource owners are not left out. The P’nyang Gas project provides that avenue to see people get maximum benefits in infrastructure, integral human development and greater financial autonomy, ” Donald said.

PRP held two major political rallies in Ningerum, Tabubil before ending it in the township of Kiunga.