East New Britain Police are still investigating the content of the election materials confiscated from supporters of a candidate on Sunday.
Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato told Loop PNG today that police are still checking the materials confiscated.
ENB Provincial Election Manager, Joap Voivoi, told Loop PNG that police investigation is still ongoing and the election materials confiscated are yet to be confirmed.
National Alliance Party General Secretary, Joyce Grant, said the report on social media of the party supporters detained with ballot papers was untrue.
“We do not print ballot papers,” Grant said.
She said the materials confiscated were posters and scrutineer forms for Walter Schnaubelt, NA Party endorsed candidate for Namatanai Open in New Ireland Province.
“I was the one who sent the materials as the party administrator.”
Grant said all the people were from New Ireland and some are employees of SOS Security Firm, owned by Schnaubelt, who is also the Party president.
She said the three PNGDF personnel travelling with the group were on approved work leave.
PNGDF joint operations commander, Colonel Esekia Wenzel, confirmed that the three serving members of the force were on approved leave.
Meanwhile, PPC Tabali confirmed that election materials were confiscated from the supporters, including three PNGDF personnel, and police are working closely with the PNG Electoral Commission to vary the legality of the election materials.
(File picture of Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato)
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