A man has been arrested in Manus for trying to use another person’s name to vote in the 2017 National Elections at the ward 4 market of the Lorengau Urban LLG.
Manus Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said Thomas Kaleh, 52 years, of Patlok village, Kari, PNKA LLG, was arrested and charged for impersonation, by trying to use another person’s name to cast his vote.
His arrest followed complaints from scrutineers at the polling booths. Reports were then made by polling officials and security personnel, which led to his arrest.
He remains at the Lorengau Police Station.
From this arrest, PPC Yapu is now warning all voters to be honest by using their correct names to vote.
“Such is a serious criminal offence under the criminal code act and a person, if found guilty, can be sentenced to 2 years in hard labour in jail,” Yapu said.
Meanwhile, he said polling commenced in Manus on Saturday, which has been quiet and peaceful till Monday.
“The only issue raised was that some of the voters did not have their names on the common roll to vote, and denied their rights to vote,” he added.
The joint security forces are out in all polling places to provide security for the election.