Papua New Guinea’s reprinted GE22 ballot papers arrive
News that matter in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea’s
reprinted GE22 ballot papers arrive
PORT MORESBY: The reprinted ballot papers for area
infringed by the seven new electorates arrived here yesterday (May 9, 2022)
from Australia.
Deputy electoral
commissioner John Kalamoroh said the commission was now ready to run Papua New Guinea's General
Election 2022 (GE22).
Kalamoroh did not disclose
the number of re-printed ballot papoers.
He said the election
writs would be issued on Thursday (May 12, 2022) as scheduled.
“We now have the ballot
papers for all 22 provinces and the 96 districts, the Papua New Guinea Defence
Force, and the Australian Defence Force will be providing security and
transporting the ballot papers,” he added.
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below a few GE22 news updates as reported by The National:
Election time
May 10, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
THE reprinted ballot
papers for areas infringed by the seven new electorates arrived in the country
yesterday from Australia.
Deputy electoral commissioner John Kalamoroh said the Electoral Commission was now
ready to run the general election.
Kalamoroh did not disclose the number of re-printed papers.
He said the writs would be issued on Thursday and assured the people, including
candidates and political parties that the general election would go ahead as planned.
“We now have the ballot papers for all 22 provinces and the 96 districts, the
PNG Defence Force and the Australian Defence Force will be providing security
and transporting ballots,” he said.
“The indelible ink from India, about 10,000 10mls bottles are all in the
country now, the returning officers have all been appointed and gazetted and
they have already appointed election officials in their electorates to help
with the conduct of election on the ground and the electoral roll has also been
completed and updated,” he said.
Kalamoroh said the key dates for the election remained the same, as:
Deputy electoral
commissioner John Kalamoroh says the general election will go ahead as planned
after the reprinted ballot papers for areas infringed by the seven new
electorates arrived in the country yesterday.
- ISSUE of writ/nomination opens
on Thursday – May 12 – at 4pm;
- NOMINATION closes on Thursday –
May 19 – at 4pm;
- POLLING period starts on
Saturday – July 9;
- POLLING period ends on Friday –
July 22; and,
- RETURN of Writs on or before
July 29.
Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai said last
month that because the seven electorates were only approved last month, they
were not included in the ballot papers already printed by Australia.
The seven new electorates are Hiri-Koiari, Popondetta, Nakanai, Delta-Fly,
Wau-Waria, Komo-Hulia and Porgera-Paiela.
Sinai said the Electoral Commission, therefore, destroyed the ballot papers
printed for Middle Fly, Kairuku-Hiri, Ijivitari, Talasea, Bulolo,
Komo-Margarima and Laigap-Porgera.
He said Australia had to reprint ballot papers for Delta Fly, Hiri-Koiari,
Popondetta, Nakanai, Wau-Waria, Komo-Hulia and Porgera-Paiela.
“For example, Kairuku-Hiri ballots for this electorate was printed as
Kairuku-Hiri before the new electorate was formed. Now it has been split into
Kairuku and Hiri-Koiari. So new ballots have to be printed for Kairuku and new
ballots for Hiri-Koiari. The same for Talasea, Nakanai and Popondetta,” Sinai
said earlier.
He said Australia had to reprint new ballot papers for the seven new
electorates and the electorates affected by the changes.
Niningi, Sinai to join
case
May 10, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
The application was filed by Vanimo-Green MP and Opposition Leader Belden Namah
through his lawyer Greg Sheppard on April 21.
Justice Derek Harthshorn yesterday allowed both parties given that the outcome
of this proceeding would one way or the other affect them, and/or their agents
and servants.
Solicitor-General Tauvasa Tanuvasa, representing Niningi and the State,
submitted that State should be allowed to be a party because it had a direct
interest.
This was because its servants, agents or officers had the responsibility of
enforcing and administering the laws, the subject of this application
reference.
He further submitted that the State also had a direct interest in the
application reference because it questioned the constitutionality, lawfulness
and validity of the Electoral Boundaries Commission and the conduct and
approval by the Parliament on March 22 of the report and recommendations.
Tanuvasa also submitted that the State would be directly and adversely affected
by the answers to the questions in relation to interpretation from the Supreme
Court being sought in this proceeding.
Representing Sinai, lawyer Joppo Simbala submitted that by seeking to nullify
the 2021 report and recommendations of the Electoral Commissioner and Electoral
Boundaries Commission on the premise that one of the members of the Electoral
Boundaries Commission, John Igitoi, was not a lawfully appointed National
Statistician within the context of section 26(1) of the Organic Law.
And therefore the approval by the Parliament of the said Electoral Boundaries
Commission report on March 22 resulting in the redistribution of electorates,
directly affected the interest of Sinai as the Electoral Commissioner and
chairman of the Electoral Boundaries Commission.
This included the Electoral Commission and the Electoral Boundaries Commission
and ultimately the greater interest of the people of Papua New Guinea and
Government, in so far as it concerned the conduct of the general elections.
Justice Harthsorn granted leave to both parties and also ordered that written
submissions should be filed by next Tuesday and the matter returned for hearing
on Wednesday, May 18. Attorney-general’s first application to intervene filed
on April 29 was withdrawn yesterday and leave was granted for Niningi to be a
party in the second application filed on May 6.
Namah sought clarification from the Supreme Court based on this, among other
grounds that the Electoral Boundaries Commission was not properly constituted
in accordance with section 26 of the Organic Law and its deliberations, report
and recommendations were inconsistent with part three of the Organic Law
including sections 26, 36, 39 and 40a thereof, and were consequently invalid.
Stakeholders responsible for credible
election: Sinai
ENSURING the integrity
and credibility of the elections is the responsibility of all electoral
stakeholders and not just of the PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC), says
commissioner Simon Sinai.
Sinai said that all electoral stakeholders, especially the political parties,
candidates, and their scrutineers and supporters, play a crucial role in making
the election free, fair, and peaceful.
Sinai made these comments after the launch of the code of conduct for the
election which saw a total of 25 political parties out of the 53 registered
parties receiving and signing the code of conduct.
Sinai said that the code of conduct was essential for achieving this shared
objective for a free, fair and peaceful election.
“It consists of concrete guidelines throughout the electoral process, which the
political parties and candidates and their scrutineers and supporters agree to
follow and observe,” he said.
Sinai also commended the political parties and candidates who signed the code
of conduct saying that it demonstrated their commitment to ensure the integrity
of the electoral process, foster a peaceful campaign environment and promote
the orderly conduct of elections during the nomination, campaigning, polling
and scrutineering.
Meanwhile, Richard Maru while signing the code of conduct on behalf of his
party, told the commission that parties want change in this year’s election.
“You must learn from past mistakes and improve this one, security personnel
have not yet been deployed, and there is no pre-election security operations in
the country,” he said.
Party executive backs idea of separate polling
lines
In Godly
Services party executive Shirley Launa speaking during the launching of the
political parties’ code of conduct yesterday in Port Moresby. – Nationalpic by
NICKY BERNARD
A WOMAN representative from
a political party has endorsed the PNG Electoral Commission’s decision to
introduce separate polling lines for women in the general election.
Wantok In Godly Services party executive Shirley Launa said the implementation
of this change and others in this election were important if the country wanted
a safe, free and fair election.
Launa was speaking at the launch of political parties’ code of conduct in Port
Moresby yesterday.
“I commend the commissioner for introducing few changes to this election,” she
said.
“We want to see women casting their votes without fear and force by people.
“We all know how women were treated in past elections.
“It’s becoming an issue and it’s a concern today for us women,” Launa said.
“All we want is, the commission must implement these changes during the
election,” she said.
Launa said issues raised concerning women’s participation in previous election
had not been taken into consideration and this should not be repeated again.
She said all women were entitled to cast their vote and no social obligations
or interferences should disturb them from practising their democratic right.
“No one, including security personnel, has the right to stop us from voting.
“In previous elections, we had concerns raised regarding women being guided at
the polling booths by ordinary people.
“Some risked their lives. We want to vote freely,” she said.
Launa said women needed to be protected and security personnel must uphold
their code of conduct by providing a safer environment for everyone.
Of the 53 political parties, only 25 signed the 2022 political parties’ code of
conduct.
Party backs two women
May 10, 2022The NationalMain Stories
THE Social Democratic
Party (SDP) has endorsed two female candidates to contest this year’s general
election out of 32 candidates they announced yesterday in Port Moresby.
The two women are Dorothy Tekwie for the West Sepik Regional seat and Angela
Nelson for the Alotau open seat.
Tekwie and Nelson were part of 18 candidates, including party leader and
National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop and Moresby South MP Justin
Tkatchenko who were present at the announcement.
Parkop said the two women were selected out of 50 who had expressed interest to
run under the party banner.
He said Tekwie and Nelson were assessed based on their experience, public
standing and chances of success.
“SDP endorsed the two women as we want our candidates to have a fighting chance
to win elections not just for the reason of being a female,” he said.
Parkop, who is a staunch advocate for women in Parliament, said SDP endorsed
candidates, male or female, not just as tokens but with the aim for success.
“We anticipate our female candidates will win which will be an achievement for
the party,” he said.
Parkop said it was a challenge for women candidates to win elections but it
could change perspectives and make the election an equal playing field.
Since the establishment of the party in 2011, the number of candidates winning
the seats increased from two in 2012 to four in 2017.
“We are a party that has proved that we can progressively bring in not only the
numbers but quality leaders,” he said.
“General election should be about electing leaders who have the character,
vision, passion and ability to provide quality leadership.
“This is the basis on which SDP bases its selection and endorsement of
candidates.
“We have all the resources and opportunities to build a prosperous country but
the biggest challenge leadership and its quality at all levels.
“The candidates we have are winning candidates but realistically speaking we
are expecting more than 10 candidates to win this time.”
SDP seat endorsements: Regional – National Capital District, Western, West
Sepik, Eastern Highlands, Chimbu and East New Britain; Open – Moresby South,
South Fly, Delta-Fly, Kikori, Kerema, Alotau, Kiriwina-Goodenough,
Samarai-Murua, Central Bougainville, South Bougainville, North Bougainville,
Kerowagi, Sinasina-Yonggomugl, Karimui-Nomane, Daulo, Lufa, Henganofi, Nawae,
Markham, Sumkar, Usino-Bundi, Rai Coast, Wosera-Gawi, Angoram,
Kandrian-Gloucester, and Nakanai.
Public servants involved in elections to be
released
PUBLIC servants who will be involved in
conducting the election will be released from their duties with full pay during
the election period, an official says.
Department of Personnel Management secretary Taies Sansan made this known in a
circular to departmental heads, provincial administrators, heads of other
public authorities and public servants.
She said the election period would begin on Thursday and end on July 29.
Sansan said the department had approved the release of public servants from
their duties to vote during the voting period from July 9-22.
She said agency heads would be required to allow a reasonable period of absence
with pay during the said period, where requested, to enable each public servant
to vote.
“The Government anticipates your kind cooperation in providing sufficient
encouragement to our citizens to participate in this important national event,”
she said.
Sansan said the instruction was particularly important in Highlands provinces
and most urban centres, where the Electoral Commission had arranged for two
weeks of voting.
Minister urges honesty
May 10, 2022The NationalMain Stories
Sungi, who accompanied Prime Minister James Marape to Tari on Friday for the
opening of the PNG Defence Force’s new forward operating base, said that as
public servants, they had a duty to serve the people and they must do their job
honestly.
“Our duty is to ensure that we deliver the election by creating a safe
environment for voters to vote and we must do so without fear or favour. We
must serve the people and do so honestly,” he said.
Sungi also supported Marape’s call for returning officers and assistant
returning officers to be appointed from the public service and the churches.
He said all public servants who were or may be appointed as returning officers,
assistant returning officers, presiding officers, counting officials and
security personnel must at all times do their jobs and conduct themselves with
the highest level of integrity, dignity and decorum from the start to the finish
of the election.
Sungi said this after Marape’s call on the electoral commissioner to pick
returning officers and assistant returning officers from within the public
service and the church.
He also appealed Electoral Commission workers to uphold the integrity of the
commission during their processing of the elections.
“I appeal to them to take their tasks very seriously,” he said.
“This is not about allowances that you are receiving or the possibility of
bribery that you might be offered.
“This is about country first.
“This is about the important task that you have in protecting the sanctity of
the electoral process that the people are given once in every five years, which
is their Constitutional right.”
Alcohol should be banned during the election:
Onglo
“Alcohol is the cause of all law and order problems in the country.”
Onglo said 90 per cent of the problems that required police attention were
alcohol-related, hence the only responsible thing for companies to do was to
stop alcohol sale and distribution during the election.
“For two years, when the country was dealing with the Coronavirus (Covid-19)
pandemic, alcohol trading was stopped but companies did not complain, so why
are they complaining now,” he said.
“The election is really good for our people and country.
“So, we should really stop for a while, for a month or two.
“It is for public safety.”
Onglo said the implications (or) benefit of stopping alcohol was better than
taking the risks (associated with it). “Police do not have the jurisdiction to
stop the production or distribution of alcohol,” he said.
“So, governors and provincial governments are asked, through a circular, to
meet with the provincial liquor licensing board, assess the situation and see
what is best for the province. If the provinces think that they can continue
drinking alcohol and going for the election – they must think twice,” Onglo
said.
“Let us be realistic here. Stop alcohol, get the elections over and then we go
back to business (as usual).
“I do not think it (banning alcohol) is going to kill anyone or affect anyone
too much.”
Onglo said alcohol manufacturers had failed big time to raise awareness on
responsible drinking.
“I do not think the manufacturers are putting enough money into community
awareness so that we can educate our people on how to drink responsibly,” he
said.
READY AND WAITING …
Aseki dancers from Menyamya, Morobe, waiting to escort an intending candidate
to the podium to be introduced and endorsed by United Labour Party leader and
Bulolo MP Sam Basil in Lae recently. Morobe assistant election manager Fredah Joses
has urged people to scrutinise candidates’ public and private lives before
choosing their leaders for the next five years.
Election ‘most risky
operation’
May 10, 2022The
NationalNational
“Policing is everyone’s business,” he said.
“The people themselves need to start developing that attitude and the genuine
desire to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner in the elections.
“Our presence and our involvement is very much to address those threats to a
peaceful process.
“Minister (William Onglo) and I will be going around and talk to our key
partners up in the Highlands.
“Unfortunately, we’ve seen increasing threat and risk levels all around the
country and especially in our urban areas (Port Moresby, Lae and Mt Hagen) and
some previously peaceful provinces becoming significantly challenging for us.
“So it is definitely in the hands of all our people.”
Manning urged the people to work together to deliver a successful election
where everyone would have the opportunity to vote.
Police Minister William Onglo said the role of the Electoral Commission was to
run the election and the work of the police was to provide security and ensure
the election was conducted in a safe environment.
He said there were a lot of issues, especially up in the Highlands, based on
experience.
“I want to bring this message to our people around the country,” he said.
“Let’s work responsibly.
“Let’s assist our Electoral Commission together with the joint task force to do
their jobs.”
Constabulary plans to build up manpower
THERE is an urgent
need to build the police force capacity from operational capability to manpower
in order to improve policing in the country, Minister William Onglo says.
“Our numbers have greatly reduced,” he said.
“We have no new recruits over the last three/four years (so) after the
elections getting the number up again will be one of our main (priority areas).
Onglo said the United Nations standard ratio was one policeman to 450 people
(1:450) but in PNG the ratio was 1:1,400.
He said the welfare of the policemen and women needed to be improved as well.
He said a 10-year police corporate plan was launched recently and should see
modernisation of the force.
If the government provide consistent funding support over the next 10 years, it
would take about K3.6 billion to bring up the police capacity at all levels,
Onglo said. “We are going
to change the way we are doing policing by reducing the number of policemen and
women in the headquarters and get more into the districts,” he
said.
There should be 10 per cent at the headquarters, 20 per cent in the province
and 70 per cent in the districts, Onglo said.
“To do that we have to build accommodation and police stations.”
Having three armoured vehicles in the country was part of capacity building and
more would be brought in the future, the minister said.
In terms of building the normal regular fleet, talks were held with Ela Motors
to bring 80 vehicles which would be dispersed to all the provinces in order to
cut down on hire cars, he said.
The eye-in-the-sky (helicopter) was down for the last five years and talks were
held with bilateral partners to have the air wing back up.
Beli advises officers about duties
PM IN TARI … Prime
Minister James Marape inspecting a parade in Tari, Hela, on Friday. PNG Defence
Force (PNGDF) commander Major Gen Mark Goina said that the PNGDF had deployed
teams to Western Highlands, Enga and Hela for the pre-election operation. He
said PNGDF personnel had begun deploying in April due to law and order issues faced
in the western end of the Highlands. – Picture supplied
ALL policemen and women in East Sepik must
undertake medical check-ups as a requirement for engagement during the election
operations, provincial police commander Supt Albert Beli says.
Beli, who will be addressing a parade at the Somare Stadium in Wewak today,
stressed that all police personnel needed to be in districts during the
election period.
“Police men and women in the six districts will have their own colours,” he
said.
“No one should be providing escorts for candidates into another district.”
Following the parade, there will be a dedication service at the Wirui
Cathedral.
“It is important to put God first in our work,” Beli said.
According to the provincial liquor licensing board’s decision on the
restriction liquor sales during the election period, Beli, who is the deputy
chairman, said with the issue of writs on Thursday, the sale of alcohol in the
province will be restricted.
Only hotels will be allowed to sell alcohol from May 12 to May 19.
From May 19 to July 29, there will be a complete ban on the sale of alcohol.
Police will also be keeping a close eye on homebrew producers.
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