Time ticking away for return of GE22 writs on Friday

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Time ticking away for return of GE22 writs on Friday

PORT MORESBY: With the return of General Election 2022 (GE22) writs deadline on Friday (Aug 5, 2022), only half of the 118 seats at stake for the 11th Parliament have been declared (as of last night Aug 2, 2022).

Counting of ballots, again, is being held up in various counting centres despite Papua New Guinea (PNG) Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai’s directive that Election Returning Officers (ROs) should not entertain any more petitions or protests until after the issuance of writs.

The return of writs, originally scheduled for July 29, 2022 was last week moved to Aug 12, 2022 but this week brought forward to Friday (Aug 5, 2022).

The extension of the deadline was to allow time for electorates lagging behind in their counting of ballots last week to complete their task, at least by tomorrow (Aug 4, 2022).

PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces the news break and a few GE22 news updates as published by The National:

Time ticking away

August 3, 2022The NationalMain Stories

TWO days to go before the return of writs, only half of the 118 seats have been declared (as of last night), with counting again being held up in various electorates.
This is despite the directive from Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai that Returning Officers should not entertain any more petitions or protests until after the issue of writs. The return of writs which was originally scheduled for July 29 was last week moved to Aug 12, but this week brought forward to Friday, Aug 5.
The extension to the deadline was to allow time for electorates lagging behind in their counting process last week to complete their work at least by tomorrow.
Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai could not be contacted for comment yesterday but said on Sunday that he was “comitted to delivering” the General Election 2022 (GE22).
“The additional time to complete the counting and delivering the writs will provide greater certainty to stakeholders as the counting process is completed,” he said in a statement.
Provinces such as Southern Highlands, Gulf, Chimbu and Jiwaka have not progressed the counting process at all.
The National Capital District and Morobe had progressed a little to complete their counting.
Madang, Kabwum and Moresby North-West face more complicated issues such as protests and legal challenges.
There are now more snags to untangle and Friday’s extended return of writs deadline is looking difficult to meet.
Security forces engaged in the GE22 in Mendi, Southern Highlands withdrew yesterday because they said candidates were interfering in their operation.
Election Manager Alwin Jimmy said he was not happy with what was happening with only two days to go before the deadline.
“We are neutral people (Electoral Commission and security forces), now they are trying to control us,” he said.
Issues and complaints raised at the Chimbu provincial counting centre hindered progress.
Ivan Pomaleu, the chairman of the Inter-Department Election Committee and secretary to the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council, said Governor-General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae had to extend the deadline “because counting and declarations have been slow”.
“In a democratic process, we expect disruptions by candidates and their supporters, and there have been disputes and petitions,” Pomaleu said.
“Those are best handled by the Electoral Commission who has the powers to consider and or direct for counting to proceed after disputes are registered.”

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