Incumbent Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu denies charges, released on court bail
News that matter in Papua New Guinea
Incumbent Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu denies charges, released on court bail
PORT MORESBY: Incumbent Easter Highlands Governor Peter
Numu, released on court bail on Monday (Aug 8, 2022) after he was arrested by
police on Sunday, has denied charges of disturbing the counting process against
him.
Commander Supt Michael
Werlly said Numu and 133 others, mostly his supporters, were arrested on Sunday afternoon
in his residence following a standoff between his supporters and security
personnel at the National Sports Institute counting venue.
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below the news break and a few post-General Election 2022 news updates as published by The National:
Numu denies charges
August 10, 2022The NationalMain Stories
By VICKY BAUNKE
EASTERN Highlands Governor Peter Numu, released on court bail on Monday after
he was detained by police on Sunday, has denied charges of disturbing the
counting process against him.
According to provincial police commander Supt Michael Welly, Numu and 133
others, mostly his supporters, were arrested on Sunday afternoon at his
residence following a standoff between his supporters and security personnel at
the National Sports Institute counting venue. Numu, who was charged under
section 108 (1) (b) of the Criminal Code Act for disturbing the counting
process during the election, said he was not charged correctly and would submit
a no case to answer application because of inappropriate charges against him.
He is to appear in the Goroka District Court on Friday.
The governor, who retained his seat in the National Election 2022, told the
public that he was not directly involved in the confrontation and was not aware
of the incident when it took place until he was approached by security
personnel at his house and arrested.
Numu confirmed that after talking to Welly, he was preparing to send his
supporters away on Sunday by arranging transport and food stuff when security
personnel confronted him at this house.
“I was wrongly arrested after allegations were made in the counting, I must
make it clear that I deny the allegations for which I was arrested, it was
wrong,” he said.
Numu said what transpired at the counting venue was far away from his home and
he was not in any way directly involved in disturbing the counting process.
He said that not all of those arrested were his supporters but involved
supporters of other regional candidates as well.
Numu said several personal items, household belongings and three vehicles were
burnt during the arrest which he described as criminal in nature.
“I was luckily saved by a lieutenant solider who came in and saved my life and
my wife’s life, so as my CPO,” he said.
Opa vows to deliver vital services
NEWLY-elected member
for Kerema, Thomas Opa, has vowed to deliver vital services to his people.
He made this remark before attending his first parliament sitting with many
other new faces elected to represent their people in the 11th Parliament.
“I am truly honoured to represent the people of Kerema in the 11th Parliament,”
he said.
He said despite a tough race, he extended his gratitude to candidates who
contested the seat and the people for the support he received from all over the
six local level governments.
The LLGs included Kerema Urban, Central-Kerema, Tauri-Lakekamu, East Kerema,
Kaintiba and Kotidanga.
“We all stood for the same convictions and aspirations to be the servant of our
people.
“The elections are over and our people will go back to their normal lives.
“Let’s find a common ground and work in unity and harmony for our people,” he
said.
Opa said his election granted him access to complete community projects which
he initiated in certain communities in the electorate before contesting the
elections.
“We will continue to complete these projects and also target our pillar
development areas to improve the lives of our people.
“Within the next few months, we will prepare and deliver our promise in our
five-year strategic development plan,” he said.
Kua wants complete fix of country’s electoral
system
RE-ELECTED Sinasina-Yongumugl MP and
parliamentary leader of PNG National Party Kerenga Kua calls for a complete
overhaul of the electoral system.
He said given the unprecedented killings and violence during this General
Election 2022, there was need for a reform of the electoral system.
Kua suggested that the biometric and electronic voting system be adopted to
improve the system.
He said it was very unfair for provinces that went into polling late to have
their MPs declared late.
He said they had no time to be part of the formation of the new Government.
Kua made this call during his declaration in Kundiawa on Monday evening.
He polled 16,341 votes to be declared winner after 43rd exclusion when the
absolute majority was dropped to just over 13,282 votes.
Runner-up Dr Elijah Ilai polled 10,185 votes.
Meanwhile, Kua also thanked the people of Salt Nomane Karamui for electing one
of his PNG National Party candidates Francis Yori Alua to Parliament, out of a
total of 51 candidates.
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