Papua New Guinea EC queries trio’s candidacy
News that matter in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea EC
queries trio’s candidacy
PORT MORESBY: Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s Electoral
Commission has asked three General Election 2022 (GE22) candidates to show
proof that their court convictions and sentences have been quashed by the
Supreme Court.
“They are to provide
evidence to us by 4.6pm on Thursday (June 23, 2022). If they fail to do so,
their nominations will be rejected,” Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai said.
He said in a media
statement that this followed the May 31 Supreme Court ruling that a person
could not contest in GE22 if he or she had been convicted of a crime after June
25, 2002.
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below a few GE22 news updates published by The National:
EC queries trio’s
candidacy
June 21, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
THE Electoral Commission (EC) has asked three
General Election 2022 (GE22) candidates to show proof that their court
convictions and sentences have been quashed by the Supreme Court.
“They are to provide their evidence to us by 4.06pm on Thursday.
“If they fail to do so, their nominations will be rejected,” Electoral
Commissioner Simon Sinai said.
He said in a media statement that this followed the May 31 Supreme Court
judgment that a person could not contest the GE22 if he or she had been
convicted after June 25, 2002.
Sinai said the candidates were Ati Wobiro (Independent – Western regional),
James Yali (People’s National Congress Party – Madang regional) and Justine
Parker (People’s Movement for Change – Anglimp South Waghi). “The EC will
reject the candidacy of the trio if they fail to provide evidence that their
case falls within the state’s exemptions.
“Their nominations will be rejected under section 87 (2) of the Organic Law on
the National and Local Level Government Elections,” he added. He said Wobiro
was jailed 14 years for conspiracy to defraud, Yali was jailed 12 years for
rape and Parker jailed 13 years for murder.
“The two exceptions to the Supreme Court’s interpretation were unless the
conviction and sentence of the candidate were quashed or that the convicted
person has been pardoned under Section 151 of the Constitution,” Sinai added.
The Supreme Court ruled that anyone convicted of a crime after June 25, 2002,
could not by law contest the GE22, or as an MP.
GE22 largest security
op: Manning
June 21, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
He made the remarks during a nationwide launching of the joint security forces
Quick Responses Force (QRF) deployment at the Pope John Paul Oval in Mt Hagen,
Western Highlands, on Friday.
Manning reminded QRF members the sole purpose of the GE22 operation deployment
and urged them to be good ambassadors of their respective forces.
“Every five years we, the state security forces, come together to ensure we
protect the democratic process that is the national election,” he said.
“The eyes of the world will be on us.
“It is not only a critical time in the political life of our country but
equally for our people as well.”
Manning has also asked QRFs to work with communities to deliver a free, fair,
safe and corrupt-free GE22.
“In the course of this operation, we will be subject to scrutiny, criticism and
deliberate acts designed to bring the operation into disrepute,” he said.
“This is expected and we must not allow this to distract us from our efforts.”
The parade was attended by numerous partners assisting in this operation,
including the head of the Australian Defence staff, Military Attaché of the
Indonesia and the United States Embassies, New Zealand Defence Attaché, as well
as the Defence Attaché of the Chinese Embassy.
ADF personnel deployed to help in polls
A HUNDRED and 32
Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have been deployed to help out in the
General Election 2022 (GE22), says ADF Wing Commander Mick Rouhan.
He said their deployment was at the request of the Papua New Guinean Government
to provide planning and logistics amiability for GE22.
Rouhan, who was at the dispatching of ballot papers and GE22 materials last
week, said the ADF’s logistic support was to deliver ballot papers. He said the
materials would be transported by two aircraft provided by the ADF.
“The aircraft will be transporting GE22 materials and personnel from Port
Moresby into the provinces” Rouhan said.
He added that the cost of the amiability ADF and the Australian government were
providing towards the GE22 was entirely upon them.
Rouhan said the 132 personnel would be based in Port Moresby to provide support
throughout the GE22 period.
“From an ADF perspective, we will provide the three aeroplanes and planners
will be based at the Electoral Commission sitting alongside Electoral Commissioner
Simon Sinai,” he said.
“The planners were tasked to provide operational plan on paper before anything
would be put on the ADF aircraft.”
Rouhan said they were happy to be in the country to help during GE22 and were
aware of the laws.
Commander says Central police ready for
polling, counting
CENTRAL commander Supt John Midi says police
are ready for General Election 2022 (GE2022) polling and counting operations.
Midi said deployment for the polling period would take place this week.
“The people of Central have to be assured that police have a good plan for
operations during polling and counting,” Midi said.
He urged the people to have a clear approach to electing their leaders.
Midi said Central people should have an individual approach during campaigning
and polling to avoid unnecessary violence.
“Avoid getting involved in a group.
“Go as an individual and choose who you aspire to be your leader,” he said.
He said it was in line of police duty to ensure people were not influenced by
others when casting their votes.
“Candidates should be reminded not to conduct dirty campaigns that would cause
problems between supporters,” he said. Midi called on candidates and their
supporters to respect the rule of law during campaigning and polling.
He said Central police were working on providing a toll free number for the
province to report any crime.
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