Trio dumped from GE22 contest
News that matter in Papua New Guinea
Trio dumped from GE22
contest
PORT MORESBY: Three candidates have been disqualified
from contesting in General Election 2022 (GE22) because of their criminal
records, Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai says.
“They are not eligible
to contest in general elections as per the May 31 Supreme Court ruling that
those convicted for a crime after June 25, 2002, are barred by law from
contest,” he added.
Sinai confirmed that the
Election Commission (EC) had notified the trio – James Yali, Ati Wobiro and
Justin Parker – that they had been dropped from the GE22 list of candidates.
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below a few GE22 news updates as reported by The National:
Trio disqualified
June 27, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
By LULU MAGINDE
THREE candidates have
been disqualified from contesting in General Election 2022 (GE22) because of
their criminal records, Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai says.
“They are not eligible to contest in general elections as per the May 31
Supreme Court ruling that those convicted for a crime after June 25, 2002, are
barred by law from contest,” he added.
Sinai confirmed that the Election Commission (EC) had notified the trio – James
Yali, Ati Wobiro and Justin Parker – that they had been dropped from the GE22
list of candidates. He said the EC gave the three the notice on their
non-eligibility on Thursday, the deadline for them to show proof that their
court convictions and sentences were quashed by the Supreme Court.
Speaking on the NBC Government Talkback show on Thursday, he explained that it
was the duty of the EC as the implementing body of general elections to
implement the order handed down by the Supreme Court.
“Today (Thursday), we went to court and the court rejected one of their
applications (James Yali’s), so as it is, there is an order being enforced that
we need to implement,” he said.
“Those who received absolute pardon will still be able to contest in GE22, but
those who have not, I have given them notice.”
The EC worked with the National and Supreme Court Registry’s Office along with
the Public Prosecutor’s office, with the Registrar’s Office, releasing a few
names of those who were on parole and those convicted.
Sinai noted that although lawyers had their own definition of convicts, his
office had been given a list of four (candidates) from the Registry of Courts.
“So there were one or two of them who have been found on record of being on
parole, with one given absolute pardon and another who is on parole or on
complete parole meaning, he is still a convict,” said Sinai.
“I have written to them, telling them you are on record and are, therefore,
ineligible to contest (in GE22).
“I was summoned to go to court (on Thursday) and the court rejected some of
their applications, so those who got absolute pardon will now go ahead with
GE22 but for those who did not, they have received their notice already.”
People’s National Congress candidate for Madang regional and former Madang
governor Yali was jailed 12 years for rape, Independent candidate for Western
regional Wobiro was jailed 14 years for conspiracy to defraud and People’s
Movement for Change Parker was jailed 13 years for murder.
Under amendments made to Section 103(3b) of the Constitution, those with
conviction are disqualified for life from contesting in general elections and
from holding any public office.
No need for violence:
EC
June 27, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
“We’re shifting the polling and counting to council wards, meaning that you
have the voting power and opportunities to place your first, second and third
votes,” Sinai said.
“We want to ensure that the pro cess comes to you and you practise your
democratic right to vote.
“So don’t sensationalise it (GE22) by making it look like you are fighting over
votes.
“Candidates and supporters, talk in a manner that respects individual’s rights,
respects the police and the process.”
Speaking on the NBC Government Talkback show on Thursday, Sinai said killing
only took away someone’s right and so people should just respect the process.
“The elections happen only once every five years and that’s something people
need to understand and respect,” he said.
“What we are planning and what we need to see is, people be willing to exercise
their rights freely and fairly, without fear of intimidation, influence or
hijacking.
Sinai said the Electoral Commission (EC) was trying to maintain the election
and give that service to the people and that when they were unable to do that
or should problems arose, then it became a law and order problem which was
handed over to the police.
“Those who want to be a politician or leader, now is the right time to show
that you do not condone violence or destruction, to show that you want to be
the people’s leader, by thinking, talking and acting like a leader,” he said.
Sinai questioned what messages candidates were sharing with their supporters at
campaign rallies and through their platforms and emphasised the need for them
to talk about voter rights and a good future for the country.
“I’m trying to manage free and fair elections and the concern amongst the
public is that this is not happening.”
Command centre set up for election
SECRETARY to Prime
Minister and National Executive Council Ivan Pomaleu says the command centre at
Morauta Haus has been fully set up for operation during the General Election
2022 (GE22).
Pomaleu told The National that the command centre was already
in full use with a media centre being set up for coordinating coverage of the
GE22.
He said the command centre was established on the third floor of Morauta Haus
and would be coordinating and disseminating all the election related stories to
the mainstream media.
Pomaleu, who was also the chairman of Inter-Departmental Election Committee
(IDEC), said Police Commissioner David Manning would be in-charge of the
centre.
Manning confirmed that the Joint Security Task Force (JSTF) headquarters would
be based on the second floor of Morauta Haus.
“I’m leading this operation with the assistance of the PNG Defence Force
Commander Major-Gen Mark Goina and Correctional Service Asst Com Simon Lakeng,”
Manning said.
Lakeng said the command centre would now become the coordinating centre for the
JSTF operations GE22.
Lakeng said it was the first time that the command centre would be used for
coordinating and monitoring the security operations of GE22 throughout the
country.
He said the command centre was being established in consultation with the IDEC.
Students in SHP lead march for free, fair and
safe election
Southern Highlands
deputy election manager Grace Wong taking the lead in a peace march on Friday
in Mendi.
STUDENTS attending
Mendi Day Secondary and Primary schools near Mendi town in Southern Highlands
joined Electoral Commission (EC) team, churches, business houses and public
servants in a peace march for free, fair and safe election on Friday.
The students in different uniforms representing their schools displayed
placards and chanted,
“We want peaceful 2022 national election, no more corruption” and marched
through the town several times before gathering near Mendi Police Station for
speeches.
Deputy provincial election manager Grace Wong said the EC team in Mendi
electoral office decided to stage the peace march before polling for candidates
and their supporters to witness and work together for a violence free election.
She said people must understand that students were greatly affected by election
related violence and they had taken part in the peace march for their fathers,
brothers and relatives to see and refrain from causing problems.
Autonomy depends on voters, governor says
By MICHAEL PHILIP
EAST New Britain (ENB)
Governor Nakikus Konga says plans are underway for the province to gain full
autonomy next year but it all depends on voters.
“I have the plans set and ready but I cannot implement when I do not have the
powers anymore,” he said.
“The power for me to implement is in the people’s hands.
“The decision is in the hand of voters in General Election 2022 (GE22),” he
added.
Konga spoke in an election rally in Kerevat over the weekend.
“I resigned from the People’s Progress Party (PPP) to join People’s National
Congress (PNC) in the bid to secure autonomy ,” he said.
Konga said when ENB was looking for ways to promote tourism in the province, it
was PNC through the leadership of party leader and former Prime Minister Peter
O’Neill who gave the province the tourism hub of the country in 2014.
“The province is now the tourism hub of the country is because of PNC. PNC gave
that title.
“And for autonomy, nothing is hard. We can get it. I believe in him (O’Neill)
because he already gave his assurance,” he added.
While Konga, former Kokopo MP Ereman ToBaining Jr and Pomio MP Elias Kapavore
are with PNC, Rabaul MP Dr Allan Marat, Kokopo MP Emil Tamur and Gazelle MP
Jelta Wong are not with PNC.
Konga said autonomy would be the only better way forward for the province and
partnership from his four district MPs would help realise the autonomy sought.
“It would be better if all the four MPs are part of PNC as it would make the bid for autonomy easier, next year.," he added.
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