‘Illegal army in Hela’ is newspaper’s fake news, says PM Marape

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‘Illegal army in Hela’ is newspaper’s fake news, says PM Marape

PORT MORESBY: Prime Minister James Marape says there is no illegal army in Hela as reported by the media on June 24, 2022.

“That is all fake news. There is no illegal army or all this sort of things,” he added.

“Some of you newspapers (not The National) in the news business seem to be making reference to illegal armies and all these sort of things,” Marape said of an unsubstantiated front page news of a newspaper on June 24.

PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below a few General Election 2022 news updates as published by The National:

‘No illegal army in Hela’

July 5, 2022The NationalMain Stories

By LULU MARK
PRIME Minister James Marape says there is no illegal army in Hela as reported in the media about two weeks ago.
Marape said this yesterday in Port Moresby after returning from casting his vote in his Tari-Pori electorate.
“In Hela there is no illegal army or all this sort of thing,” he said.
“Some of you newspapers in the business of the news seem to be making reference to illegal armies and all these sort of thing,” the 51-year-old said of an unsubstantiated front page story in the other daily on Fri, June 24.
“There is no illegal army up there.
“If there was an illegal army up there police would not have apprehended this person who was transporting the money,” he said referring to the director of Ipwenz Construction, a local construction company, that transported a large sum of money into the province and was arrested over the weekend by police.
Marape said the only security forces on the ground in Hela were police and the PNG Defence Force deployed for the General Election 2022 (GE22).
“I just want to appreciate the work of police and soldiers across the country.
“After the election polling in Hela the team (security forces) that will be assisting Enga province will be migrating to Enga.
“We hope to clear out Hela by the end of this week if everything goes to plan so then police go to rest of the Highlands.”
Marape said the campaign and polling in Hela had been incident-free despite tensions.
He said he hoped that it was the same throughout the country.
Marape said if he remained Prime Minister in the next term of Parliament he would dedicate more resources to improving law and order in the country.

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Polling in ENB crowded but peaceful

PEOPLE in Rabaul, East New Britain, crowded polling sites as voting in the province got underway yesterday.
Rabaul returning officer (RO) Babel Umri said the 18 polling teams were dispatched to the polling venues in the Kombiu, Balanataman, Watom and Rabaul Urban local level governments (LLGs) as per the gazetted polling schedule.
He said most of the teams were dispatched with limited election materials and presiding officers were forced to spend from their own pockets while the treasury office worked to fast track payments.
These election materials include ballot papers both for the Rabaul open and provincial seats, electoral rolls, voting compartments, metal seals, inedible ink, candidate posters, and journals for presiding officers and other necessary stationery.
Umri said many voters were complaining about their names missing from the common roll however they were told by presiding officers and assistant returning officers that it was beyond their control and by law anyone whose name was not on the common roll was not eligible to vote.
Also witnessed at the polling venues yesterday was the setup of two separate lanes for women and men, which was a first for the election.
Most women who cast their votes yesterday reported that in the past they had been denied their rights to vote and subject to intimidation and the introduction of election express lanes was a good initiative by the Electoral Commission.
Umri was optimistic that polling for Rabaul would be completed this week.

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Relay accurate information, TIPNG says

THE provision of timely, accurate and accessible information during polling period is critical to ensuring a democratically credible General Election 2022 (GE22), according to Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG).
A statement from the organisation said the delivery of election had faced multiple administrative, legal logistical challengers and it was now incumbent on the Electoral Commission (EC) and partners to ensure clear and consistent communications to voters.
TIPNG made this statement after it sent 300 of its volunteer observers across the country to observe the polling.
“Voters are justifiably concerned that the disjointed manner in which requisite electoral preparatory processes such as, creation of new electorates, enrolment of new voters, updating of roll, appointment of nomination, and gazettal of election and polling schedules were delivered in turn adversely impact the conduct of polling,” TIPNG board chairman Peter Aitsi said.
“Those across the country who have volunteered with TIPNG observe the conduct of their local polling station, are demonstrating not only that people in Papua New Guinea are concerned, more importantly, they are showing that Papua New Guineans want to contribute to more free, fair and safe election in 2022.
TIPNG had observed GE07, GE12, and GE17 using the same observer survey instruments and also the 2013 LLG Elections, 2019 Bougainville Referendum and 2021 Moresby North-west by-election.
TIPNG said the reports from those observations have been presented to the EC and the Government which it said led to reforms such as the introduction of the limited preferential voting system and the Organic Law on Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates.

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Returning officer raises concerns over Kavieng’s extra ballot papers

KAVIENG open candidates have expressed concern about the alleged number of extra ballot papers found during quality checks over the weekend.

New Ireland returning officer Benjamin Kliawi said despite these grievances polling in the province started yesterday. He denied claims of the inconsistency after confirming with scrutineers that the physical numbers of ballot papers corresponded with numbers on the dispatching list.

“The claims of discrepancies in ballot paper numbers need to have evidence to prove to the Electoral Commission,” he said.

Meanwhile, New Ireland police commander Felix Nebanat said candidates and scrutineers had presented a written petition regarding the inconsistency of the ballot papers.

Nebanat said the petition was signed by nine candidates requesting Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai to explain why the ballot papers in the electorate were not adding up and to stop the deployment of polling teams.

“My role and responsibility is to protect the integrity of the

election process by maintaining a neutral position and to ensure

a free, fair and safe election,” he said.

However, Kliawi said polling in Kavieng started later than its scheduled time.

Still fighting disqualification

July 5, 2022The NationalMain Stories

By BEVERLY PETER
SUPREME Court has allowed Attorney-General Pila Niningi and former Anglimp-South Waghi Open candidate Justin Parker to join the special reference filed by former Madang governor James Yali.
Yali filed the special reference challenging Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai’s decision to disqualify convicts under the new Amended Parliament Act on June 26 following a Supreme Court order.
Justice Collin Makail at Waigani yesterday ordered for the proceeding to be amended, necessary documents for parties to be filed and served, and the matter to return on July 14 for hearing on the standing of the proceeding.
Parker applied to join Yali as the second applicant as he was also disqualified under Section 103(3b) of the Amended Act to contest General Election 2022 (GE2022).
Parker was caught under that Act because he was convicted and sentenced 13 years for murder in 2015.
The parties in the proceeding were Public Solicitor, Public Prosecutor, Clerk of Parliament Kala Aufa and Niningi who joined yesterday.
Parker’s lawyer Justin Wohuinangu said the matter needed urgent court attention as its result would determine whether Paker and Yali would continue in GE2022.
Aufa’s lawyer Steven Ranewa argued that the matter did not need urgent attention as both Yali and Parker were no longer a candidates.
Ranewa said: “We are already in the polling week and it would not make much of a difference.”
Solicitor-General Tauvasa Tanuvasa, representing Niningi, said the attorney-general would oppose that Yali and Parker did not have the grounds to move the application.
“As far as the election is concerned, polling starts today (yesterday) and it’s really up to Parker and Yali to decide on the utility of the proceedings because there is overwhelming evidence that the constitutional amendment number 24, under electoral reform was passed and it has become law,” he said,
Yali filed the special reference saying the constitutional amendment of section 103(3b) which the Court had relied to disqualify the convict was not properly passed and should be revised.

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Tondop to voters: Think of your children’s future

HIGHLANDS East Deputy Commander Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop says voters must think of the future of their children when they cast their ballots to elect their leaders in Chimbu.
“Do not think about today only and sell your votes,” he said.
“Pray and seek good and trustworthy leaders from God.”
Speaking at a joint security task force awareness on violence-free, fair and peaceful election in Kundiawa last week, Tondop told voters to screen the candidates properly and choose the best.
“Go for someone who can bring services back to the community, district and the province,” he said.
“You need to elect leaders who are selfless and think about the people first.”
Tondop reminded voters that a general election was not something to play around with.
“General elections will change this country and the future of your children,” he said.
“Other countries are developed because of strong leadership and government.
“We have everything in our country but we need good leaders to manage the resources for benefit of the people and country.”

 

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National Court throws out ex-Hagen RO’s appeal

THE National Court has dismissed an application by former returning officer for Hagen open Willie Ropa, saying there was no arguable case that should move towards a substantive review.
Judge Joseph Yagi presiding at Waigani made this ruling yesterday.
On June 2, Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai made a decision to revoke Ropa as the returning officer for Hagen open and appointed Pius Nop.
Ropa applied for the position which was advertised and he was shortlisted and appointed on May 5. On May 6, the notice was published in the National Gazette.
On May 12, the National Court restrained Ropa from performing his powers, functions and responsibilities in a court proceeding.
The restraining order was successfully challenged in the Supreme Court by the PNG Electoral Commission, resulting in the National Court order being stayed.
In effect, Ropa continued to perform his powers, functions and responsibilities.
The proceeding was eventually withdrawn.
On June 2, Sinai revoked Ropa’s appointment.
The notice of revocation was published in the National Gazette on June 3.
In the same National Gazette, Sinai appointed Nop.
Ropa submitted that he was not notified of the intention or the steps taken to revoke his appointment and was surprised to learn it through the National Gazette.
He said leave should be granted to review that decision because he had enough interest in bringing the application, there was no delay, no administrative or statutory remedy available and that there was an arguable case.
State through Solicitor General Tauvasa Tanuvasa argued that Ropa failed to comply with requirement of Order 16 Rule 3(3) of the National Court rules in that the notice to the secretary for Justice was given less than the prescribed period of two days and, therefore, the application was incompetent.
State also raised that the notice of motion dated June 14 and filed June 16 prior to leave being granted was incompetent.
Yagi said the only requirement that was strongly contested by the State was the requirement for Ropa to demonstrate arguable case.
“It is the State’s contention that the failure to plead the statutory breach is fatal to satisfying the requirement.
“I agree with the submission by the State,” Yagi added.
“Ropa’s case is that he was appointed as the RO by virtue of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government Elections.
“However, he has not pleaded the breach under the Organic Law.
“Instead, Ropa relies on constitutional notion of natural justice which is stipulated under Section 59(2) of the Constitution.
“It is common ground that the Organic Law does not prescribe any procedure for removal or dismissal or revocation in the appointment of the RO.
“The appointment of the RO is solely for the purpose of delegated powers and functions on behalf of the Electoral Commission by virtue of Section 18 of the Organic Law.
“To my mind, the appointment of the RO is not permanent nor is it for a fixed term.”
He dismissed the application and ordered Ropa to pay the State costs in the proceedings on a party-party basis, if not agreed, to be taxed.

Still fighting disqualification

July 5, 2022The NationalMain Stories

By BEVERLY PETER
SUPREME Court has allowed Attorney-General Pila Niningi and former Anglimp-South Waghi Open candidate Justin Parker to join the special reference filed by former Madang governor James Yali.
Yali filed the special reference challenging Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai’s decision to disqualify convicts under the new Amended Parliament Act on June 26 following a Supreme Court order.
Justice Collin Makail at Waigani yesterday ordered for the proceeding to be amended, necessary documents for parties to be filed and served, and the matter to return on July 14 for hearing on the standing of the proceeding.
Parker applied to join Yali as the second applicant as he was also disqualified under Section 103(3b) of the Amended Act to contest General Election 2022 (GE2022).
Parker was caught under that Act because he was convicted and sentenced 13 years for murder in 2015.
The parties in the proceeding were Public Solicitor, Public Prosecutor, Clerk of Parliament Kala Aufa and Niningi who joined yesterday.
Parker’s lawyer Justin Wohuinangu said the matter needed urgent court attention as its result would determine whether Paker and Yali would continue in GE2022.
Aufa’s lawyer Steven Ranewa argued that the matter did not need urgent attention as both Yali and Parker were no longer a candidates.
Ranewa said: “We are already in the polling week and it would not make much of a difference.”
Solicitor-General Tauvasa Tanuvasa, representing Niningi, said the attorney-general would oppose that Yali and Parker did not have the grounds to move the application.
“As far as the election is concerned, polling starts today (yesterday) and it’s really up to Parker and Yali to decide on the utility of the proceedings because there is overwhelming evidence that the constitutional amendment number 24, under electoral reform was passed and it has become law,” he said,
Yali filed the special reference saying the constitutional amendment of section 103(3b) which the Court had relied to disqualify the convict was not properly passed and should be revised.

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Tondop to voters: Think of your children’s future

HIGHLANDS East Deputy Commander Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop says voters must think of the future of their children when they cast their ballots to elect their leaders in Chimbu.
“Do not think about today only and sell your votes,” he said.
“Pray and seek good and trustworthy leaders from God.”
Speaking at a joint security task force awareness on violence-free, fair and peaceful election in Kundiawa last week, Tondop told voters to screen the candidates properly and choose the best.
“Go for someone who can bring services back to the community, district and the province,” he said.
“You need to elect leaders who are selfless and think about the people first.”
Tondop reminded voters that a general election was not something to play around with.
“General elections will change this country and the future of your children,” he said.
“Other countries are developed because of strong leadership and government.
“We have everything in our country but we need good leaders to manage the resources for benefit of the people and country.”

 

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National Court throws out ex-Hagen RO’s appeal

THE National Court has dismissed an application by former returning officer for Hagen open Willie Ropa, saying there was no arguable case that should move towards a substantive review.
Judge Joseph Yagi presiding at Waigani made this ruling yesterday.
On June 2, Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai made a decision to revoke Ropa as the returning officer for Hagen open and appointed Pius Nop.
Ropa applied for the position which was advertised and he was shortlisted and appointed on May 5. On May 6, the notice was published in the National Gazette.
On May 12, the National Court restrained Ropa from performing his powers, functions and responsibilities in a court proceeding.
The restraining order was successfully challenged in the Supreme Court by the PNG Electoral Commission, resulting in the National Court order being stayed.
In effect, Ropa continued to perform his powers, functions and responsibilities.
The proceeding was eventually withdrawn.
On June 2, Sinai revoked Ropa’s appointment.
The notice of revocation was published in the National Gazette on June 3.
In the same National Gazette, Sinai appointed Nop.
Ropa submitted that he was not notified of the intention or the steps taken to revoke his appointment and was surprised to learn it through the National Gazette.
He said leave should be granted to review that decision because he had enough interest in bringing the application, there was no delay, no administrative or statutory remedy available and that there was an arguable case.
State through Solicitor General Tauvasa Tanuvasa argued that Ropa failed to comply with requirement of Order 16 Rule 3(3) of the National Court rules in that the notice to the secretary for Justice was given less than the prescribed period of two days and, therefore, the application was incompetent.
State also raised that the notice of motion dated June 14 and filed June 16 prior to leave being granted was incompetent.
Yagi said the only requirement that was strongly contested by the State was the requirement for Ropa to demonstrate arguable case.
“It is the State’s contention that the failure to plead the statutory breach is fatal to satisfying the requirement.
“I agree with the submission by the State,” Yagi added.
“Ropa’s case is that he was appointed as the RO by virtue of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government Elections.
“However, he has not pleaded the breach under the Organic Law.
“Instead, Ropa relies on constitutional notion of natural justice which is stipulated under Section 59(2) of the Constitution.
“It is common ground that the Organic Law does not prescribe any procedure for removal or dismissal or revocation in the appointment of the RO.
“The appointment of the RO is solely for the purpose of delegated powers and functions on behalf of the Electoral Commission by virtue of Section 18 of the Organic Law.
“To my mind, the appointment of the RO is not permanent nor is it for a fixed term.”
He dismissed the application and ordered Ropa to pay the State costs in the proceedings on a party-party basis, if not agreed, to be taxed.