2017 National Elections

Maprik Returning Officer Godfried Sokamia said the incident happened at Ward 3 on Tuesday by disgruntled eligible voters who did not have names on the 2017 National Electoral Roll. 

He said these voters stopped other voters from casting their votes.

Provincial Returning Officer Kila Ralai, in an earlier interview, said Maprik Urban LLG will have only one day of polling.

Other LLG wards in Maprik will poll within the gazetted 14 days, approved by the Electoral Commissioner. 

Accompanied by heavy police presence, the convoy entered the venue, closely watched by a large crowd that has gathered there.

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Ben Turi has also arrived at the venue.

Venue security says once official notice is received from the Electoral Commission, polling officials, scrutineers and media will be allowed in.

Another convoy, this time transporting election manager Alvin Jimmy, and Electoral Commission staff, arrived at the venue minutes ago.

Discussions are currently underway to begin pre-counting.

They include polling officials, candidates’ scrutineers and supporters.

NCD Election Manager Alvin Jimmy said the pre-count was to begin at 2pm however, at this time, the venue is still closed with security personnel manning the area.

Media personnel are also waiting outside for entry into the venue.

The reconciliation of ballot papers aims to dispel rumours and suspicions of election rigging in the capital city.

A spokesman said they were ready for Eastern Highlands, Simbu and Hela when polling was scheduled for June 26.

Delay on ground due to candidate grievances and other factors saw polling in some of these areas deferred, therefore the helicopter company left, with clearance from Electoral officials, to attend to other electoral jobs that needed their assistance.

This morning they have sent two helicopters to Eastern Highlands Province and one to Simbu Province to assist in insertion and extractions of polling teams for the remote areas.

However, in some places, people allow the democratic process of election to proceed without any grievances and one such area is Markham district in Morobe Province.

Former MP for Markham Andrew Baing, who is re-contesting the seat he lost in 2007, said it is the people’s right to go to polls.

“Going to polls is the people’s democratic right and they must not be intimidated or forced on who to vote for.”

Baing described polling in Markham as peaceful and conducted in an orderly manner.

The then NCD election manager, Hetinu, and his assistant, Tabogani, were taken in for questioning on Tuesday (June 24) after police personnel noted their suspicious behaviour.

Hetinu was questioned after a large amount of money, valued at K184,300, was found in his possession. Tabogani, on the other hand, was allegedly transporting ballot boxes without police escort, and in a tinted vehicle.

NCD Election Manager, Alvin Jimmy, and his assistant, Bale Kavanamur, are conducting the reconciliation in a bid to dispel rumours and suspicions of election rigging in the capital city.

Both men, who were appointed yesterday after their predecessors were detained by police, announced during a meeting with NCD candidates and the Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato, that the reconciliation was the first order of business.

On Tuesday, June 27, a 40-year-old man from Marmar village died from wounds sustained during an election-related clash.

Provincial police commander (PPC), Joseph Tabali, told Loop PNG that the fight started on June 22, a day before the campaign period was to end.

“After campaigning, the deceased, Beringson Paul, and his team convoyed back to Marmar village, sometime between 8 and 9pm,” says Tabali.

“There they started preparing rations for the final day of campaigning, June 23.”

Provincial Election Manager Steven Koupa confirmed this today.

He said the delay is on the transportation of ballot papers, which a helicopter company is yet to deliver.

The frustrated Koupa said they already paid an advancement to the firm and didn’t see any reason for the delay.

He further reiterated that the four days of delay will affect their start of counting as well.

“We are planning to start the counting period this coming Sunday but cannot do so because of the delays.

“I encourage and want to see a transparent process take place,” says Lae metropolitan superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr.

“Police will be providing security to a total of 116 polling teams comprising of 55 for Lae Open, 30 for Huon Gulf Urban and 31 for Nawaeb Urban.

“We have mobilised all available resources to be used in the polling period.”

Wagambie Jnr is discouraging disorderly behaviour at the polling booths.

“Any person or persons found to be disrupting or intimidating voters at the polling booth will be arrested,” he stresses.