Election Returning Officers (RO) cannot be replaced after the writs of the election have been issued by the Governor-General.
Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato made this comment after a petition by candidates in the Moresby North-East Electorate of NCD to replace the RO, who delayed the counting process.
“We are already into election, it is very important because when the writs are issued by the Head of State, he issues the writ to the returning officer and for me to change that is not correct,” Gamato said.
“If they have any issue or complaints, they go after the electoral process and they can file before the Court of Disputed Returns.”
Meanwhile, counting for Moresby North-East commenced at 10pm yesterday.
The current top three candidates are John Kaupa, Joe tintin Sina Saraga and Brian Kombe.