A shipping container containing the 28 disputed ballot boxes for the Hagen Open seat must be moved back to the Mt Hagen Police station, a court today ordered.
The Waigani National Court today issued the order after it was satisfied that the Kimininga Police Barracks, where it is currently kept, is not a transparent and secure location.
Election petition presiding Judge, Justice Collin Makail, ruled that apart from Kimininga being a police barracks, the environment does not guarantee the safety of the container, because there was evidence put before court that it does not have a check-point.
The container was initially in Kimininga, where the counting was held but was later moved to the police station.
On August 31, it was moved back to Kimininga on the basis the police station was not safe and did not have weapons.
Petitioner James Puk filed an application in court, asking if the container be moved back to the police station as it was “deemed safer” to keep it at the station instead of the barracks.
This was also to limit the likelihood of its contents being tampered with.
He told the court through his statement that the container was put at the back of the barracks, with its doors facing the fence.
The court was satisfied and granted orders to move it back to the police station.
It will be kept there pending the outcome of the election petition.
The case will return to court later this month for directions before a date can be set for hearing.