2017 National Elections

EHP official denies rumours of hijacking

A candidate in the Goroka open seat recently posted pictures on social media alleging that people are voting at will, without any control from the polling officials.

Koupa, when asked about the claims, said the presiding officer, at that time, allowed that to happen in order to complete polling on time.

"Sometimes, when polling is late, the presiding officer had to act on the best interest of the people by allowing them to vote and really don't need to call the roll."

"To me it's not hijacking of the election process," Koupa stated.

​Voters urged to participate

The Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group in Papua New Guinea, Sir Anand Satyanand, said this while wishing the people of Papua New Guinea well at the start of two weeks of polling, which opened in some areas on 24 June.  

Sir Anand commended the efforts of all involved in preparing the elections and noted the considerable logistical challenges and the resources required to stage the national election. 

​New police vehicles for Madang

The vehicles were presented by Provincial Administrator Daniel Aloi, in response to the recent petition issued by landowners and residents of Sisiak over escalated crime.

Aloi also promised a police post for Sisiak, and road sealing after the general elections, while Water PNG committed free water and accommodation for police officers to live and monitor the area of crime.

Provincial Police Commander, Jacob Singura, said the vehicles come at a time of need, when the country is full on into election activities.

Jiwaka fears deferral of polls

Election Manager, Rossie Pandihau, says the commencement of polling in the Province will depend on when polling in Simbu Province has been completed.

Polling in Jiwaka Province is scheduled for June 30.

Ms Pandihau said preparations for polling are now well on track however, the delay in polling for Simbu Province might affect them as well. This is because security forces in Simbu will move to Jiwaka once polling is completed in the former.

Pandihau says they are currently doing quality checks and pre-counting the ballot papers.

Residents unhappy with deferral

Disgruntled residents said many of them took time off from work to vote today and said the last-minute announcement was the first-of-its-kind, criticising the Electoral Commission for the lack of planning.

Soon after the announcement by the Electoral Commission at around 9am, police officers arrived at several polling areas in the electorate to inform polling officials to pack up.

Polling was already underway at East Boroko and Manu when they were ordered to stop.

​NCD election manager arrested with hard cash

NCD/Central Commander, Sylvester Kalaut, confirmed this in a press conference today.

Kalaut said Hetinu was arrested when he went there to advise the polling and police officials that NCD polling had been deferred.

"Because of that, it raised a lot of suspicions."

Kalaut said as management for the police, that was an advice that was supposed to come from the electoral commissioner. The date has been set and gazetted and polling has to be done within these scheduled dates.

​Deferral, unwelcome news: Local

Lawyer Nou Vada, who’s in the public sector, raised concerns on this.

“A lot of people have taken a day off today. And many will agree that it is a really difficult thing to do, especially for the private sector, especially in the middle of the week.

“There’s a lot of apprehension right now with people who are going to work, if they don’t vote today and they are not released back on Friday, the whole democratic process that’s supposed to be underscored by this activity of voting could end up being a big sham,” he said.

​Disgruntled voters behind Boroko commotion

Disgruntled voters, who had turned up very early to cast their votes, were behind the incident.

According to voters who were already standing in line at the polling site, officials had arrived and had set up at the location.

About 20 to 30 minutes into the start of polling, other voters were told that they (officials) couldn't continue as they were instructed to pack and head back to their main office.

Some voters tried to physically express their frustrations but were quickly intercepted by police.

​Daulo polls underway

Returning officer John Walker confirmed the commencement a while ago.

He told Loop PNG that despite several hiccups from the candidates and supporters, they will complete polling today.

Walker added that he had been informed of rumours of ballot papers being hijacked but is yet to confirm that.

The one-day polling was deferred from yesterday to today after candidates and supporters raised concerns on the issue of Electoral Roll updates and polling venues.

More update on TVWAN news tonight.

​Officials convoying back to EC headquarters

This also includes disgruntled voters, who lined up in front to demand answers as to why polling was called off in NCD.

Tension is seen to be very high around the Boroko area at the moment as police vehicles are escorting all officials back to the EC head office.

Many disgruntled voters and candidates are very unhappy about the turnout of events in the nation's capital and are demanding answers from officials.

More and more people are gathering and police presence is seen to be more active now, to control and escort officials to bring in the polling materials.