Deputy Opposition Leader Sam Basil believes that Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is not telling the truth by saying that he is not directly in control of the Electoral Commission (EC).
Basil said: “We understand that the Prime Minister is directly controlling Electoral Commission.
“The proposed amendments regarding the National Elections that came before Parliament are not from the Electoral Commissioner, it’s from the Prime Minister himself and the ruling Party.
“We believe that the Prime Minister is behind the printing of ballot papers overseas.”
Meantime, Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato recently confirmed with Loop PNG that their staff are supervising the printing in Indonesia and it is under control.
Gamato revealed this to rebut allegations by the Opposition that the EC instructed for the printing to be made in Indonesia following directions from politicians.
Gamato said the decision to order the ballot papers is his decision; not a Government decision.