Trouble brewing for EC in Morobe

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Image for illustration only. For image info, go to https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/png-elections-eac-resignations-suggest-poor-preparations

Trouble brewing for EC in Morobe

PORT MORESBY: Trouble is brewing for the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Electoral Commission in Morobe’s 10 districts, with its 34 elections Returning Officers (ROs) and assistants (AROs) petitioning for operation funds yesterday (June 14, 2022).

Wau-Waria RO Fidelis Harrisol said if the petition was not addressed by Thursday (tomorrow June 16, 2022), “we will take further action”.

He, however, did not specify what kind of action they would take or resort to take.

The news break was reported by The National:

Trouble brewing for EC in Morobe

June 15, 2022The NationalMain Stories

Simon Sinai

By EHEYUC SESERU
TROUBLE is brewing for the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Electoral Commission (EC) in Morobe’s 10 districts, with its 34 elections Returning Officers (ROs) and their assistants (AROs) petitioning for operation funds yesterday.
Wau-Waria RO Fidelis Harrisol said if the petition was not addressed by Thursday (tomorrow), “we will take further action”.
He, however, did not specify what kind of action they would take or resort to take.
“We want to hear from the EC through the provincial election steering committee (PESC) and elections manager,” Harrisol said.
Harrisol delivered the petition signed by six ROs and 28 AROs highlighting issues with funding, allowance for temporary election workers, AROs gazettal appointments and the electoral roll.
The petition was received by PESC chairman Kissu Lucas on behalf of the EC.
The ROs and AROs demanded for:

  • ALL funding for General Election 2022 (GE22) operations in the province to be transferred to the Morobe elections account or given to the EC office in Lae within the next 48 hours;
  • NON-PAYMENT of allowance for first and second phase of GE22. They want the EC to immediately process the payments to officers through their bank accounts or through the Local Level Government (LLG) coordinators. If the EC did not have funding to settle payments, then the PESC must source for funding;
  • AROs’ gazettal appointments to be processed immediately so that they are able to work confidently in GE22; and,
  • THE Common Roll for this year to be supported with 2017 and 2019 LLG update working rolls.

Harrisol said the roll must be made available now before polling next month.
Lucas said the provincial election steering committee would meet tomorrow to deliberate on the petition.
“All of you were appointed on merit.
“You are senior public servants under the provincial administration,” he said.
“We knew such issues would come about, so we chose you lot.
“All of the things raised are beyond our control.
“Many things are done in the headquarters and sent to us.
“We will work with the EC to address the issues,” Lucas said.
Meanwhile, the transportation of ballot papers, polling teams and security personnel will begin today.
Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai said two Royal Australian Air Force aircraft would transport the ballot papers, other election materials, polling and counting teams and security personnel today.
“The Electoral Commission is ready to deliver the General Election (GE22), the Electoral Roll is also ready,” he said.
“We have maintained the 2017-2019 electoral roll and just updated with a 15 per cent increase for youths who have turned 18 in the last five years, so no one will miss out on voting.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea (Employment stagnant since 2014) PORT MORESBY: Employment in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has remained stagnant since 2014 with millions of unemployed looking for jobs. The formal job market currently can only accommodate between 400,000 and 500,000, Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker says. “As more young people enter the job market this year after graduating from tertiary institutions and schools, the chances of securing formal employment is slim. “Employment had remained stagnant despite the increase in potential workers coming out of educations institutions,” he added. Read on for more details as published by The National : Hard to get jobs January 27, 2022 The National Main Stories By DALE LUMA MILLIONS of eligible workers around the country are looking for jobs in the formal sector, which currently can ...
Read more

Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30

Image
News that matters in Papua New Guinea Armed tribal warriors on the move in Sugu Valley. Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30 PORT MORESBY: At least six tribes have been fighting in Sugu Valley (Kagua-Erave, Southern Highlands) since Feb 10, 2019, without any signs of an end and peace. In fact, the death toll has risen to at least 30, up from 11 on May 23, 2019, and the opening of a new battlefront in Sumbura near Poroma with multiple deaths reported in 24 wards. Armed tribal warriors on the march into the forests and jungles. PNG Cyber Monitor had on a May 25, 2019, posting ( https://pngcybermonitor.blogspot.com/2019/05/real-life-rifles-bows-and-arrows-bloody.html Real life rifles, bows and arrows bloody fights in PNG ) highlighted the bloody battle waged by tribal warriors armed with rifles, bows and arrows and knives. PNG Cyber Monitor is again highlighting the plight of the villagers who have been living in fear as reported by The Nationa...
Read more

Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Sorcery tortures and violence are still being practised in Papua New Guinea in this 21st Century digital era. Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas PORT MORESBY: It was international shame for Papua New Guinea (PNG) this Christmas when sorcery reared its ugly head. Six women were stripped, bound to poles and burnt with hot knives as they screamed in pain, watched by an unsympathetic crowd. In a video that has gone viral in the internet, the women were accused of practising sorcery in Southern’s Enga. Police Comm David Manning described the sorcery torture as vile, inhumane, uncivilised, void of any human decency. “Papua New Guinea cannot progress without letting go of these horrific traditional beliefs. We have launched an urgent probe into the incident in Aiya’s Pawayamo village in Kagua-Erave.” The news break was published by The National : Horror torture of women Decem...
Read more