Patilias Gamato

LLG election dates yet to be confirmed

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato is conscious of the LLG elections not disturbing the APEC meetings.

Earlier this year, Commissioner Gamato had used his powers to defer the LLG Elections 12 months after the 2017 National General Elections.

This means the LLG elections would commence in July 2018.

The year 2018 is also significant as the country looks forward to hosting one of the biggest world meetings, APEC.

Club clarifies viral Gamato video

The video attracted widespread public lashing as it featured Gamato being involved in a commotion in the club.

However, the club has explained that the commissioner was actually trying to calm down a drunk and disorderly individual.

According to floor manager Edwick Wilson, the commotion started when the man, who had started drinking around lunch time on Friday, began looking for his missing car keys which he thought might have been picked up by one of the staff.

Gamato accepts writs for SHP

In accepting the writ from the SHP Provincial Returning Officer, Steven Gore Kaupa, Commissioner Gamato also accepted and recognized incumbent Governor William Titpe Powi as the duly elected MP-elect for Southern Highlands Provincial.

Upon legal advice, the Electoral Commissioner applied section 175 of the Organic Law on National Elections under “special circumstances” to use the primary count results to confirm the declaration made by the former Provincial Returning Officer Jacob Kurap on Friday, 20 July 2017 at 4:04pm at the Momei Oval in Mendi.

VIDEO: Leaders call for fair count

The leaders who travelled to Port Moresby to deliver the petition said counting has been marred by the illegal conduct of unauthorized individuals which has resulted in violence and destruction.

 

Charmaine Poriambep with more 

SHP leaders call for boxes to be counted

The leaders, who travelled to Port Moresby to deliver the petition, said counting has been marred by the illegal conduct of unauthorised individuals, which has resulted in violence and destruction.

The leaders claim that out of 648 ballot boxes counted so far, only 462 were legally counted, 84 boxes illegally set aside, and 101 boxes counted by an illegal Returning Officer, Francis Akol, appointed by David Wakias.

The leaders called on Gamato to have the remaining 83 boxes counted and the purported 101 illegal boxes disregarded.

EHP regional writ presented

Dressed in bright green attires, election officials as well as the Acting Provincial Administrator, Samson Akunai and Provincial Returning Officer Ikiso Kosanama, accompanied EHP Election Manager, Steven Kaupa, as he presented the writ to Gamato.

The Return of Writs was conducted on July 28th, a week after the original designated date, due to some areas not completing counting in time.

Gamato apologises to late Kalpa’s families

He clarified in a statement today that the Returning Officer, who declared Nick Kuman as Member-elect for Gumine Open electorate in Simbu and signed the writ, was Fredy Yaun and not the late Peter Kalpa.

“It was in fact an error on the part of my officers who prepared my statement for the press conference in not confirming the correct name of the Returning Officer who declared Nick Kuman here in Port Moresby.

Loop PNG's 5@5

Gamato approved a dead man’s signature

The PNG Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato, has accepted an Election Writ signed by a deceased returning officer.

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/gamato-approved-dead-man%E2%80%99s-signature-64185

 

Gamato comes clear on using deceased’s name

Gamato comes clear on using deceased’s name

Gamato said it was misquotation on their part.

He said the Electoral Commission is now working on a media statement to correct the name of the returning officer and will retract his statement.

Gamato’s misquotation has however, resulted in a court order that is currently in place, preventing both Nick Kuman and Lukas Dekena from participating in parliament until the case is determined. 

VIDEO: PNG Electoral Commissioner August 1st address

This is Loop PNG’s LIVE broadcast from the PNG Electoral Commissioner’s Press Conference currently taking place.