Enga Provincial Police Commander George Kakas is appealing to candidates in the recount of the Kandep Electorate seat to refrain their supporters in causing any unnecessary delays to the recount.
The recount was started on Saturday after continuous disruptions.
The court had directed the recount of the seat after a successful election petition by 2012 runner-up Alfred Manase.
The court ordered that the recount must be counted within 30 days which will lapse this Thursday.
If a winner is not declared by close of counting on Thursday, the PNG Electoral Commission must return to Court and ask for an extension.
Kakas said the recount was again stalled on Friday (30/09/16) when the Opposition leader, Don Pomb Polye arrived in Wabag by chopper and marched to the Police Station with thousands of his supporters demanding transparent counting of ballot boxes from the Electoral Commission.
He further added that considering past incidents which involved two deaths in the by-election by the same candidates (Polye and Manase), he allowed Polye to enter the counting room.
“To ease the tension already building up, I allowed Polye and two of his associates to come in to the police station for them to air their grievances to the Returning Officer and his staff and clear their doubts about the process,” PPC Kakas said.
Kakas said he reminded them that any action taken to delay or stop the recount would be seen as a direct contempt of the Supreme Court Order.
After reassurances being given and the leaders are satisfied, Kakas said they parted.
The court ordered the recount on Sept 16, 2016.
Caption: Enga Provincial Police Commander George Kakas speaking to Opposition and Kandep MP Don Polye. Picture source: PPC Kakas.