ARO nabbed with ‘undeclared’ ballot papers
News that matter in Papua New Guinea
Police personnel at a security checkpoint in Mendi, Southern Highlands, last week. Minister for Justice and Attorney-General Pila Niningi says he is appalled to hear and see General Election 2022 (GE22) related violence happening in many parts of the country. – Picture supplied
ARO nabbed with ‘undeclared’ ballot papers
PORT MORESBY: An election assistant returning office (ARO)
for Southern Highlands’ Nipa-Kutubu was arrested by police at the entrance of
Momei Oval counting centre on Monday (July 25, 2022) for carrying five ballot
papers in a sealed envelope.
He was arrested after he
failed to declare the papers and was detained in the Mendi police lock-up.
Nipa-Kutubu returning
officer (RO) Felix Kindup said the Nipa Basin ARO John Tui failed to declare
the five ballot papers at the gate in the presence of security personnel,
counting officials and scrutineers.
PNG Cyber Monitor produces below the news break and a few General Election 2022 news updates published by The National:
ARO held over ballot
papers
July 27, 2022The NationalNational
AN assistant returning
officer (ARO) for Nipa-Kutubu in Southern Highlands was apprehended by police
at the entrance to Momei Oval counting centre on Monday for carrying five
ballot papers in a sealed envelope.
He was arrested after he failed to declare the papers and was locked up at the
Mendi police station.
Nipa-Kutubu returning officer (RO) Felix Kindup told The National that Nipa
Basin local level government (LLG) ARO John Tui failed to declare the five
ballot papers at the gate in the presence of security personnel, counting
officials and scrutineers.
“What people have posted on social media alleging that Tui was trying to
smuggle ballot papers for a regional candidate is misleading and people should
not be spreading false information,” he said.
“As the ARO, he picked up the five ballot papers for the regional seat that
were accidently placed inside the open ballot boxes during polling.
“He found the ballot papers at the counting centre and collected them but must
have forgotten to declare them and took them home.
“In the morning he was apprehended for not declaring them and having the ballot
papers in his possession.”
Tui said that a single vote would make a lot of difference and five was a big
number and he was sorry for the mistake done. He said people must be mindful of
what they posted on social media as this would only trigger problems.
Attempts to get comments from the police commander were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Kindup said quality checks would start today and eliminations would
proceed.
Niningi a victim of
election violence
July 27, 2022The NationalNational
“During the campaign period, (last month) I had two aggressive acts of violence
done against
me by rival candidates,” Niningi said in a statement last week in
response to the rise in General Election 2022 (GE22)-related violence.
Police personnel at a
security checkpoint in Mendi, Southern Highlands, last week. Minister for
Justice and Attorney-General Pila Niningi says he is appalled to hear and see
General Election 2022 (GE22) related violence happening in many parts of the
country. – Picture supplied
“One was a direct hit
on my vehicle, resulting in the fracturing of my driver’s arm.
“The other was an open shooting incident at one of my villagers, wounding a
young man who is currently hospitialised.
“Yet I asked my tribesmen and supporters to refrain from retribution.
“Instead, we reported the matter to the police and waited for justice to take
its full course.
“I share the above experiences to point out that as a leader, I had to make a
hard choice to follow the law. I had to lead by example.”
Niningi said he was appalled to hear and see GE22-related violence happening in
many parts of the country.
“We are at the crossroads where the rule of law is no longer adhered to,
instead men have come to think that they are a law unto themselves,” he said.
“This mentality must not be tolerated nor entertained.”
Niningi appealed to all candidates and their supporters to abide by the law.
Gulf calm as counting starts
By JAMIE HARO in
Kerema
THERE has been no
major incident related to election violence in Gulf, an official says.
Provincial police commander Chief Insp Jeffery Lemb said since the nominations
and polling, there had been no major incidents and called on locals to continue
cooperating with security personnel.
“Elections in the province have been peaceful since nominations began, no major
incidents and we intend to continue the process in the next few days in this
counting period,” he said.
Lemb said despite setbacks with the delay of moving the polling officials and
ballot boxes back to Kerema on time, the election process in the province had
been peaceful.
“Despite the delay, we had assistance from the Police Department who hired
aircraft to move our security personnel, polling officials and the ballot boxes
from three different locations back to town safely,” he said. He said these
were polling teams from Kaintiba, Kotidanga and Kikori local level governments.
In addition, Lemb explained that the counting venue which was supposed to cater
for the open electorates was not completed on time and was moved to the Bouraga
Haus and the Catholic Mission Hall which started on Monday.
“Currently, we have 90 security personnel on the ground, these include local
police, members of the Correctional Services, PNG Defence Force, Water Police,
NCD police and a police mobile squad, that are tasked to see this counting
process through,” he said.
Meanwhile, the provincial election office has marked three days to complete the
counting process.
The counting started with ballot boxes from Kerema Urban LLG and Central Kerema
LLG for the Kerema open and regional seat on Monday while counting for Kikori
started counting yesterday.
Students appeal to candidates, thank army
THE University of Papua New Guinea student
representative council (UPNG SRC) is appealing to candidates in the National
Capital District (NCD) to exert more control over their supporters following
the suspension of classes after a violent incident last Sunday.
UPNG SRC president Melvin Tinol told The National that they supported the
actions taken by disciplinary forces.
“The fight that transpired last Sunday posed a direct threat to the staff and
students of the university as it occurred along the route many students and
staff use to travel to and from school,” he said.
“We are proud and support the actions taken by the PNG Defence Force who sent
out officers to monitor the situation in the city as it provides a sense of
safety to the university community.
“We now call out the respective candidates to control their supporters and have
all their disputes dealt with in court so that the rule of law prevails.”
Tinol said the suspension of classes would delay the commencement of their
second semester.
“We appeal to the general public as well to ensure a safe and fair election as
a democratic nation and in that way we do not cause inconveniences for other
businesses such as schools,” he said.
Briefs
Marape dismisses fake
news
PRIME Minister James Marape says fake news peddlers who claim that he was
chased out of Wewak must apologise to the Somare family, the people of Wewak
and East Sepik. Marape, the Pangu Pati leader, returned to Wewak yesterday
where his party has set up camp in anticipation of forming the next government.
Reasons for counting
venue
Northern chairman provincial election steering committee Trevor Magei says that
the Orokaiva market was selected to centralise counting. “Counting will be done
at the Orokaiva market because it is spacious and has the capacity to count all
electorates and the regional at the same time.”
Police always ready to
help
THE police engaged in election-related assignments are always ready to help.
This was demonstrated by Senior Constable Joseph So’on from the Waigani Police
Station centre of excellence who was one of the six policemen assigned to
accompany polling officials for Ensisi Valley in the Port Moresby North-West
electorate in the National Capital District on July 8. “We are here to provide
security and to ensure polling is conducted safely.”
Strict security during
counting
SOUTHERN Highlands commander Chief Superintendent Daniel Yangen says security
will be strict and tough during the counting period. “Roadblocks will be set up
at entry points and we will allow traffic to use only certain roads,” he said.
Inspector commends
people
Madang electorate field commander Insp Edward Alphonse has thanked the people
of Usino-Bundi for their cooperation in ensuring safe polling on July 7.
Alphonse attributed this success to the relationship police had with the communities
and prior awareness carried out.
Victim-blaming concern
Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council – Family and Sexual Violence
Action Committee national coordinator Marcia Kalinoe says that too often people
get into victim-blaming, which is the main reason why women are hesitant to
seek help. Kalinoe said ending family and sexual violence was everyone’s
responsibility.
Uphold laws, top cop
says
Southern Highlands acting police commander Chief Supt Daniel Yangen says
Police, Correctional Service and PNG Defence Force personnel must uphold the
constitutional laws and not to take sides and allow for a peaceful General
Election 2022 (GE22). He also urged people to respect each other.
‘Manage affairs
professionally’
LAE-based Power Boss owner Michael Pai says General Election 2022 (GE22) events
show the need for the country’s affairs to be managed professionally. “We have
gone through economic crises, Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and now GE22
problems. Come before God which is our fundamental foundation as God gives
wisdom, enhancing our knowledge to think for our family and future.”
Marum not declared: RO
EAST New Britain returning officer Joap Voivoi says he has not yet declared
Independent candidate Michael Marum as the regional seat winner. He said: “The
elimination process is still on.”.
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