No security threats on WSP polling

There are no security threats to election polling materials for West Sepik, kept at the Police headquarters in Vanimo.

Provincial Police Commander Robert Gesa told Loop PNG “there are no direct threats that may (raise) concern at this stage”.   

He confirmed that ballot papers for West Sepik Provincial, Aitape-Lumi, Nuku, Telefomin and Vanimo Green River Open seats were delivered to Vanimo on Saturday on board an Australian Defence Force Hercules plane.

PPC Gesa is optimistic polling for the province will be trouble free, like what had been experienced during the nomination and campaign period.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato confirmed to Loop PNG on Monday that the distribution exercise started on Saturday, two weeks before polling for the 2017 National Election starts.    

“All polling materials dispatched to all provinces. Sensitive materials like ballot papers, ink rolls, candidate posters started going out on Saturday,” Gamato said. 

He confirmed the provinces are Manus, Bougainville, Sandaun, East Sepik, Oro, Milne Bay, Western, Morobe and Madang.

The eight weeks of campaign will end on 23 June, followed by 14 days of nationwide polling on 24 June. 

Author: 
Charles Yapumi