2022 National General Elections

He called on the Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai as custodian of the election process to remove the ballot boxes kept in five containers at the police station and move them to a neutral counting venue to allow peaceful counting.

Powi made the call after the counting of the regional seat was disrupted and halted for three consecutive times, delaying the counting process.

The claims were made by incumbent Madang Governor Peter Yama and published in the media on Monday, August 1st, 2022.

Uguro said he had been at the named location to meet with family, while member-elect for Yangoru Saussia Richard Maru, who was also named in the article, denied meeting with Uguro and the other named parties. He said he was there with family for dinner.

Commissioner Manning made this call following a disturbance earlier today in the Southern Highlands township of Mendi. He said law and order is being maintained in Mendi with a heightened security presence on the streets.

Commissioner Manning, who is Commander of the National General Election 2022 Joint Security Task Force (JSTF), said preparations were in place ahead of time to overcome potential unrest or agitation between rival candidate supporters.

“The JSTF has sufficient manpower in place to deal with any election-related disturbance in Mendi.

Counting officials have completed the 17th elimination. National Alliance candidate Daniel Lohia was eliminated in this round.

After Lohia’s votes were distributed, Keith Iduhu of New Generation Party is ahead.

The top five candidates after elimination 17 is as follows;

1. Keith Iduhu (NGP) – 9,429
2. Steven John Manai (URP) – 6,359
3. Willie F Kaeaka (IND) – 3,943
4. Gabriel Nicholas (PNGNP) – 2,857
5. Samuel Sariman (IND) – 2,545

The absolute majority is 19,675 votes.

In a press conference, Prime Minister James Marape said PANGU signed an agreement with the 15 coalition parties and independent MPs to work towards forming government.

The coalition parties include: PANGU Pati, Social Democratic Party, United Resources Party, United Labour Party, Liberal Party, People's Reform Party, People's Party, National Alliance Party, Melanesian Alliance Party, People's First Party, Allegiance Party, PNG Greens Party and Independent candidates.

PM Marape said the camp is made up of young leaders with the intention to take back our resources.

Quality check is set to follow.

The top five candidates after count 45:

1. Jimmy Uguro (PANGU) – 14,026
2. Vincent Kumura (PP) – 7,063
3. Philip Ororoku (Ind) – 3,243
4. Nick Kamuti – 3,197
5. Allan Aipo – 2,742

Total formal ballot papers: 49,336

Total informal ballot papers: 1,173

Total ballot papers: 50,509

(Source: Team Kumura for 2022)

“This has created a gap in the resumption of term 3. Those teachers who are involved in the counting are missing from the classrooms. Because of the enrollment in many schools it is higher than previous years the administration of schools, example in Waigani Primary School, we had about 3 teachers in counting within NCD and another three probably in their provinces. We found it very difficult to take up the normal lessons in the classrooms because of the numbers,” he added. 

The involvement of teachers in elections has resulted in interruption to student learning because of teacher absenteeism. Also, the safety of teachers and students is threatened with election related violence.

Sanangkepe is appealing to the Teachers Services Commission and the Secretary for the Department of Education to exempt teachers from participating in future elections, and concentrate on educating children.

He said the education of the child depends on these human resource builders. Teachers and students alike need to be protected from election related violence.

People's National Congress Party candidate, Ricky Morris has come out on top, elected for the first time as member-elect.

Morris led with 8,093 votes. Coming in close was Lisia Ilaibeni (URP) with 7,986 polling; a difference of 170 votes.

Allan Bole Baniyamai (PNGP) was the 36^th candidate to be eliminated. His votes were distributed and Morris won.

His comments follow the extension of the Return of Writs to 05th August, 2022.

Secretary Pomaleu said the extension has been issued because counting and declarations have been slow. By the original date of Return of Writs, it was still impractical for the Electoral Commission to return most of the writs.

“In a democratic process, we expect disruptions by candidates and their supporters, and there have been disputes and petitions.