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National General Elections 2022

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National Elections

Delay in Counting for NCD Regional Seat Continues

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Counting for the NCD Regional seat at the Rita Flynn Court has been suspended since Saturday after allegations were raised of suspected foreign ballot papers being smuggled into the counting venue, this prompted a call for a recount of all the ballot papers.

Counting was scheduled to resume today at 1pm, however, it is not known when counting will recommence.

The NCD Regional Returning Officer was not available at midday today and could not be reached for comments on the matter.

The top five tally for NCD Regional Seat as off Saturday after count 22 has seen the incumbent Governor and Social Democratic Party leader, Powes Parkop leading the race with 1,391 votes, People’s Labor Party man Wari James Vele, with 1,274 votes, Independent Candidate Michael Kandiu sits on the 3rd spot with 964 votes, another Independent Candidate and former NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Andy Bawa is in the 4th place with 921 votes and Ben Dagima in 5th place with 524 votes.

Counting for NCD Regional is still on primary counts with time running out as the dates zero in on the return of writs set for Friday 5th August 2022.

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National Elections

Madang Beefs Up Election Security Due to Threats

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Madang’s Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent, Rubiang Manzuc, says security personnel in the province have been beefed up following recent threats going around.

All road intersections will be blocked and all vehicles and the public travelling in and out of Madang town will be thoroughly searched before they can pass.

“The roadblocks will start at the handymart roundabout intersection point for vehicle and persons moving in and out of Madang,” says Manzuc.

Manzuc says people’s movement after hours is also restricted as there is a liquor ban in place in the province; id says if anyone is caught drunk and moving around after hours, they will be arrested and locked up at the Jomba police cells.

The PPC also visited all counting centers, informing counting officials and election officials to continue counting without fear as there will be tight security to make sure their safety is guaranteed, he added that each center has security personnel on the ground to monitor and check on persons going in and out of the counting venues.

All counting venues each have its own commanders’ to provide security to counting officials.

The provincial Police Commander says the operation plan for the province has now changed so security forces will be working six to six, 24/7 to make sure all counting is completed safely without fear.

“Our concern is safety of the counting and election officials including the public.”

Mobile Squad 13 from Lae, MS 14 from Goroka and the PNGDF are also on the ground to beef up security in the province, thus the manpower on the ground is more than enough to control any situation that may arise in the province.”

Manzuc said security forces on the ground are taking the spread of threats very seriously and assured the people of Madang that their safety is guaranteed.

They started tightening up their operations yesterday to ensure the safety of all citizens including counting and election officials.

The Provincial Police Commander is appealing to the leaders and the public to support security forces during the counting period until all declarations are made.

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National Elections

Namah Keen to Form Government

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Vanimo Green-River member-elect, Belden Namah commended the Electoral Commission and Election Officials for conducting a free and safe election for the people of Vanimo-Green in West Sepik Province.

“I want to thank the Election Manager, Salote Kai and the Returning Officer for a successful election. There was no foul play in this election,” Namah said.

Namah thanked his supporters and reassured his commitment to form government this year after serving as the front man of the opposition in the last 12 years.

Re-elected member for Vanimo-Green, Beldan Namah, signing the writ after being declared

“12 years is enough; we will form Government. We will join our coalition partners and form Government,” Namah said.

Namah collected 10,213 votes in the 24th elimination after all ballots were exhausted.

Independent Candidate Eric Kowa was the runner up with 8,767 votes.

Namah is yet to reveal what party he will form a coalition; however, PNC remains an option given the history between him and PNC front man Peter O’Neill.

With the return of writs now extended to the 5th of August, the numbers game for forming government will be on show as elected members scramble to join the winning camp.

But for now, celebrations have already started in Vanimo as loyal Belden Namah supporters celebrate his fourth term in Parliament.

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National Elections

Counting Mishap at NCD Regional Counting Centre

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CANDIDATES contesting to be the next Governor for the National Capital District yesterday at around 12pm fronted up at the Boroko Police Station to follow up on a formal complaint laid by candidate Michael Kandiu.

Those that were part of the contingent of angered candidates are Andy Bawa, Lucielle Paru, Steven Kilage, Sylvia Pascoe and Michael Kandiu.
Kandiu was angered by the actions that took place, he said there was tampering during the counting process of the NCD Regional held at the Rita Flynn counting center.

“The incident happened on Tuesday when my scrutineers found out that I had scored 169 votes but on the electoral commissions tally sheet I had only 16, they had taken 153 votes and passed it on to other candidates.

“We found out that figures on the update posted by the Electoral Commission did not match our tally sheet,” Kandiu said

Kandiu expressed dismay that this was the second time he has been a victim of this it had happened in the 2017 election, also it was the same person who did it this time around.

“This is exactly the same thing that happened in 2017 and this is the same person who made this mistake with other officers also at the counting center.

“We want them to be arrested, the electoral commission has failed miserably in running a fair and free election,” Kandiu said

The police were prompt to gather the election team in question down at the Rita Flyn Counting center, they were taken in for questioning at the Boroko Police Station, among those that were taken in, was election manager for NCD Kila Ralai.

Inside PNG was able to speak with Ralai after he left the Boroko Police station and returned to the counting center, he said the matter was before the police and counting would continue.

Ralai did confirm that a complaint was made by Kandiu’s scrutineers at the counting center and steps were taken to rectify the discrepancies.

“When we heard the complaint, we realized that our electoral commission figures were different from the Scrutineers figures, we proceeded to open the boxes again to verify both figures again and we identified that there was an error on our tally on our, we had 16 when the actual ballot papers and figures on Michael Kandius tally for that particular ward “ward 4” was actually was 169,” Ralai confirmed.

Former NCD Metropolitan Superintendent now vying for the Governor’s seat Andy Bawa was very vocal about the lack of transparency witnessed at the counting center, he said they have written to the Electoral Commission about the matter.

“We want those involved to be sidelined including the election manager as well, that’s why we have written to the electoral commissioner and we have laid a formal complaint with the Metropolitan Superintendent of NCD, we just want a fair and free elections.

“First and foremost because it is an election related fraud case, we want that person responsible to be arrested and charged and after that we want people who are implicated in the allegations in the counting room replaced by new ones,” Bawa said.

Ralai when asked bout the demand for replacement of all counting officials he said steps were being taken to address the issue going forward.

“We will not have a new team but we will make some replacements, I have taken the task to not allow one of the Assistant Returning Officers who has been sidelined, he is not to enter the counting area with the three officers’ who were recorders working during the shift that night the incident had happened,’’ Ralai said

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National Elections

New Ireland Police Ready for NATEL Operations

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Police in New Ireland are ready to provide security for the 2022 National General Elections.

New Ireland Provincial Police Commander Felix Nebanat said police men and women including PNG Defense Force, Correctional Service and Mobile Squad are ready to be deployed to parts of the Province.

“I am ready to freely, fairly and securely execute security for the elections but that has to be done in partnership with the people. I appeal to all New Irelanders to be security conscious during the election period and restrain from provoking election related violence or offence, said PPC Nebanat.

The NIP PPC said voting is a democratic choice, because it determines the quality of life. PPC Nebanat urged people to vote wisely. “Our paramount responsibility is to make sure that you(voters) are safe and secure.

PPC Nebanat also warned the general public and candidates in New Ireland not to derail or rig elections and refrain from doing things that will disturb the 2022 National General Elections.

“We will have you arrested and charged according to the provisions of law. It could be electoral, criminal, summary offence or traffic law”, said PPC Nebanat.

The head of police in New Ireland also called on his men and women to maintain integrity during the elections. He said police must ensure serving the people with honesty and transparency and not to compromise with any.

Police in New Ireland were also presented to new vehicles to support logistical capacity. PPC Nebanat thanked Police Commissioner David Manning for his intervention to donate the police vehicles.

PPC Nebanat made these statement while launching the NATEL Operation in New Ireland including the Security Operation Centre. New Ireland Police also farewell three of their long serving staff.

A parade was also held by joint forces and witnessed by residents of Kavieng town, including Provincial Administration, Assistant Commissioner for CS, Director of Law and Order, Chamber of Commerce, businesses houses and other stakeholders.
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