Former PM O’Neill returned to Parliament for 5th term
News that matter in Papua New Guinea
Former PM O’Neill
returned to Parliament for 5th term
PORT MORESBY: Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill has polled
37,501 votes to surpass the absolute majority to retain the seat he first won
in 2002.
The former prime
minister (2011-2012, 2012-2017, 2017-2019), into his fifth term in Parliament,
said General Election 2022 (GE22) was a concern for Papua New Guinea.
“We are genuinely at a
loss to explain the magnitude of election fraud, and the destruction of life
and property,” he added.
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below the news break and a few GE22 news updates published by The National:
O’Neill retains seat
July 20, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
He yesterday thanked his supporters for their commitment to democracy.
“There has been a lot of incentives given to the voters of Ialibu-Pangia to
switch allegiance from myself to others,” he said.
“I want to thank the people for their steadfast commitment to the electoral
process.”
O’Neill said it would be his fifth term in Parliament and “could not be more
humbled or happier”.
“I am proof that out of the greatest adversity and difficulties, goodness will
prevail,” he said.
“I am not perfect. I have erred, I have fallen, and it was not always easy to
get back up and keep going.
“But I did as I genuinely believe that there is nothing better to do than
represent my people of Ialibu-Pangia.”
He said the General Election 2022 was a concern for PNG.
“We are genuinely at a loss to explain the magnitude of election fraud, and the
destruction of life and property,” he said.
“We must be hopeful and continue to believe in democracy even if it feels like
it is ebbing away from us. (We must) stay strong.
“I want to thank those who have helped me to this point and make it clear that
there will be no celebration until we form Government.
“Only then will we have something to be truly joyful about. Lastly, my thanks
to God who has been with me for guidance and continues to be my greatest
inspiration.”
Member-elect vows to address law, order
MEMBER-ELECT for
Koroba-Lake Kopiago William Bando plans to address lawlessness in the
electorate as a priority.
The former Hela administrator was declared the winner of the seat after polling
36,587 votes to beat People National Congress party’s P Petrus Thomas who came
third on 16,968 votes.
Pangu Pati candidate Boby Yubi was second on 17,568 votes.
Bando was declared the winner by Returning Officer Joseph Kaupa at Andaya Oval
around 11am yesterday.
Bando, from Koroba station in Hela, assured the people that he would complete
the projects started by his predecessor, especially in Lake Kopiago.
“I thank the 36,587 voters for believing in me,” he said.
“I hope to do my best (for the voters). I want to complete projects started by
former MP (Thomas).
“I was administrator for 10 years before my contract expired in 2019 and I left
(Hela).
“People wanted me to return, so I came back to contest.”
Bando said lawlessness “is an attitude thing”.
“People can change their mindset overtime. My priority is to address law and
order issues.”
Ialibu-Pangia will respect election process,
official says
By REBECCA KUKU
THE Ialibu-Pangia will
respect the election processes and abide by the laws, says district
administrator Samson Wereh.
He said the people of Ialibu-Pangia were peace-loving.
They only wanted to see the election conducted freely, fairly and without any
violence.
He was commenting on the complaint lodged with police by candidate Stanley
Liria on the 10 ballot boxes from the Kuare local level government in Ialibu.
Police Commissioner David Manning raised the complaint with Electoral
Commissioner Simon Sinai in a letter dated July 17, saying the matter was being
investigated by police.
He urged Sinai not to accept the ballot boxes in question, sparking outrage
from MP Peter O’Neill who advised Manning not to interfere in the election
process for the Ialibu-Pangia seat.
Wereh said the Ialibu-Pangia seat candidates and their supporters had been well
behaved.
“The Ialibu-Pangia district has always maintained its good name during
elections,” hesaid.
“We are a model electorate and have never had any issues during elections.
“I call on all candidates, their supporters and people to continue respecting
the process and abiding by the electoral laws.
“Our sitting MP, Peter O’Neill, has already made a formal statement. So let the
political leaders deal with this through the proper channel,” he said.
Shelters pose traffic
risk
July 20, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
MAKESHIFT shelters built by candidates and their supporters outside counting venues in Port Moresby are too close to the roads, leaving little room for pedestrians to move about, National Capital District city manager Ravu Frank says.
“The candidates and their officials are asked not to compromise public safety
and convenience in this regard and are called upon to exercise common sense in
the election process,” he said.
Frank said counting venues at the Public Institute of Leadership and Governance
(Moresby North-West counting), Sir John Guise Indoor Stadium (Moresby
North-East counting), Rita Flynn Sports Complex (Moresby South and NCD
regional) and Bomana Police College and Murray Barracks for Central counting
have been inundated with makeshift shelters.
The scattered and piling rubbish from indiscriminate littering is another
matter.
Frank said vending and catering have been taking place outside these venues
causing inconvenience to regular public activities and nearby residents.
“While National Capital District Commission (NCDC) understands the situation,
it considers the cooperation and support of candidates and their officials to
allow ample space at their respective locations to enable free movement of
people and traffic,” he said.
Officials urged not to delay election process,
says manager
By CRETILDA ALOKAKA
OFFICIALS had to be
told not to disrupt the counting process with their administrative issues,
Central election manager Peter Malaifeope says.
Malaifeope said this while addressing the polling and counting officials for
the Kairuku electorate yesterday at Murray Barracks.
“Don’t bring up your administrative problems and disturb the counting process,”
he said.
“If you have administrative issues, see your returning officer (RO) or the
assistant returning officer (ARO),” he said.
Counting was delayed yesterday morning because officials refused to count as
they were not given their allowance, Malaifeope said.
“The ARO did not submit the name list for these officials to the Electoral
Commissioner, hence caused all this,” he said.
“However, counting will continue as scheduled.”
Malaifeope said it wasn’t the electoral commissioner’s fault but the RO and ARO
for failing to submit the name list earlier. He told the officials to speak to
the ARO or RO regarding their payments.
“Let’s not bring our administrative problems to hinder the process of
counting,” Malaifeope said.
“People of Kairuku want to know who will be their representative in parliament
for the next five years.”
Malaifeope said he wanted the counting for the five electorates in Central to
be completed before July 29. “We have 10 days left before the return of writs.
“Therefore, all officials have to put their problems aside and work together
for the people of Central.”
Menyamya count continues
By JIMMY KALEBE
WHILE counting for
Morobe’s Menyamya Open seat is progressing into its third day, people have been
warned by police not to disturb the counting process.
Morobe police commander Superintendent Jacob Singura said in light of the
violence in Kabwum and Markham, people needed to respect the counting process
and allow it to be completed.
“Candidates and their supporters have to respect the counting process,” he
said.
“The election is not a new thing.
“We are familiar with the processes involved so candidates and their supporters
as well as the public should respect the rights of the people in marking their
leader to the parliament for the next five years,” Singura said.
He added that those with the intent to disrupt the electoral process would be
arrested and charged.
“Any dispute arising during counting can wait until the conclusion and be
addressed in the court of disputed returns.”
Hiri-Koiari counting starts
COUNTING for the
Hiri-Koiari electorate began yesterday at the Murray Barracks in Port Moresby.
Returning officer for Hiri-Koiari Leo Ameua said it was the second electorate
in Central to start counting.
Ameua said counting of ballot papers began with the Koiari rural local level
government (LLG).
“Koiari Rural, Vanapa-Brown and Hiri are the three LLGs in the electorate,” he
said.
“The first count started with team 21 with the Manari ward in Koiari,” Ameua
said 600 ballot papers were given to the ward for the provincial seat.
“An estimated of 573 ballot papers were used and an estimated 27 were unused,”
he said.
“The unused papers were returned to the electoral commission.”
Ameua said 72 ballot boxes arrived at Murray Barracks last week.
Counting for Central very slow, says election
manager
CENTRAL election manager Peter Malaifeope says
counting in the province has been very slow.
He said delays caused by the returning officers for the Rigo and Abau
electorates could make them miss the deadline – July 29.
“Kairuku and Hiri-Koiari electorates have started counting while Rigo, Abau and
Goilala are yet to start,” he said.
“Electorates that have started counting are very slow and it has been very
frustrating because we have a deadline.”
Malaifeope said he has sent out a strong warning to the respective returning
officers to fast-track counting.
“The delays are caused by the returning officers who are yet to conduct
briefing with their counting officials and scrutineers,” he said.
Malaifeope said all ballot boxes for Abau and Rigo were locked away in a
container in Port Moresby while some boxes for Goilala were yet to be brought
from Tapini station.
“One ballot box for Rigo needed to be transported to Port Moresby from Kwikila
while about 35 from Goilala are yet to be transported,” he said.
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