2017 National Elections

Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Martin Lakari, says the fight was caused by supporters of two candidates after polling on Saturday (July 8).

The supporters were not happy with ballot papers and set up roadblocks. Fortunately, the fight was contained due to quick response from security personnel.

However, he said apart from that, no major incident had been reported.

Despite the incident, Lakari said polling has been conducted peacefully and they are ready to go for counting.

More on TVWAN News tonight.

Scrutineers refused to enter the counting venue this morning after an incident at the end of the night shift.

The issue started at 8am when two scrutineers were forcefully removed from the counting venue by security personnel.

The next shift of counting officials was told to vacate the counting venue at 2:30pm until further notice. This happened after candidates refused to allow their scrutineers enter the venue due to the dispute.

The candidates have petitioned the Electoral Commission to stop quality checks because their scrutineers were not present during counting on Sunday (July 9) and Monday night.

The candidates claim that there was foul play during the counting process.

Candidate Joe Daure, on behalf of the candidates, highlighted that the Electoral Commission must look into this issue.

In the petition, the candidates have demanded for two scrutineers to be present at the counting venue and allow them to closely observe the counting of the ballot papers.

“We are trying to work towards counting on Saturday,” says Returning Officer Ronney Havenggau.

He revealed to Loop PNG that some parts of Kikori district are still polling.

Factors that have hindered polling in Gulf include bad weather, transport issues with choppers and the late dispatching of materials.

Moresby North-West - after count 46

Regional - after count 91

Manus Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said he has instructed his joint security force personnel to secure the Sahart counting centre.

Loop PNG was informed of certain candidates’ scrutineers alleging foul play during counting.

PPC Yapu confirmed that the chairman of the Provincial Election Steering Committee will be addressing those scrutineers and receive their petition.

Counting officials were on break at the time this report was published.

The scrutineers were told to leave the counting venue after their shift ended however, because they were reluctant, they were both kicked out.

Candidates are now raising their concerns about scrutineers being allowed to be at counting venues when the counting process is going on.

They have also petitioned the Electoral Commission earlier to explain why at some instances, scrutineers are not allowed at the counting venue.

They demand that the presiding officers be also available at the venue to present the ballot boxes for counting.

There they will be kept until counting starts on Thursday (July 13).

The last box arrived late yesterday, according to Returning Officer Theodore Maia.

Maia said today they will be doing the summary and tomorrow the brief-in for counting officials and scrutineers.

Counting for Goilala Open and Central regional from the district will begin this week.

Returning Officer Michale Are did not confirm the exact issue but told Loop PNG it stems from counting.

Currently Are and counting officials are awaiting the scrutineers, who he said are discussing amongst themselves.

He said once they are ready then the quality checks may be done.