2022 National General Elections

In a public announcement to the media and public this morning, George said polling for Moresby Northeast is deferred.

George said, “I as the Returning Officer hand in my resignation and I step down from this position.”

“The Commissioner will get a new Returning Officer come polling day when they do decide.”

George also stated that decisions for polling in the MNE electorate, including the date, will be decided by the Electoral Commission.

Superintendent in charge of NCD CID Robert Volo said "I cannot delve into or speculate on this matter as I don't have any records of this alleged incident.

He said the social media reports alleging that a policeman acquainted to the incumbent MP aided and abetted this illicit act, would be investigated if a formal complaint is also registered with the Internal Affairs Directorate.

“At this time, the report is circulating on social media, but it is not formally registered with the police,” Volo said.

TIPNG released a statement following the Electoral Commission’s announcement of postponing polling for NCD for a second time on Wednesday 6 July to Friday 8 July.

“It is the PNG Electoral Commission’s constitutional responsibility to deliver the National Elections and the PNGEC must be accountable for its actions, if the country is to avoid a declaration of failed elections, said Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) Board Chair, Peter Aitsi.

They both raised concern that many eligible voters had not voted because their names were not on the electoral roll.

They said the people had the right to vote because they had been living in the area for more than six months to one year, and they needed to elect a leader of their choice.

Madang started well when polling began on Monday, the only disturbances at polling sites were disgruntled locals who did not have their names on the electoral roll.

Today, Toutu Village set up voting booths. Voters from Pinu travelled to Toutu to seek clarification on whether or not another day could be given to them to vote. Scrutineers also raised questions about the electoral roll and if it is updated.  

Assistant Returning Officer, Peter Ume, said that only people with names in the electoral roll will cast their vote. Ume said there is about 1000 eligible voters currently in the ward common roll in Pinu and Toutu, Kairuku LLG.

Manning made this comment when disputing a recent post on social media that alleged that he had threatened policemen and ordered the release of the K1.56 million confiscated in Hela Province.

“That is totally false. The cash in question is still in police custody,” he stated.

“Five individuals arrested over this incident are currently in police custody. Police investigation into this matter is still progressing.

“As I have previously stated, the public will be informed once the investigation is completed.

Voters get frustrated after standing in line for hours, just to find out that their right to vote has been deprived.

They then turn on polling officials and create disturbances, forcing the police to try to bring the situation under control.

“So many of them in Lae city, the majority of the population in Lae city, their names were not on the common roll,” he stated.

“Em displa em kosim bikpla problem. Em i no problem blo mipla. (This caused a lot of problems. It is not our problem.)

Soheke further pointed out that the electoral roll has always been an issue.

“The roll has never been a perfect roll since elections,” he stated. “But we must try, as much as possible, to ensure that we come up with a credible roll.

“I’m appealing, maybe gavman kam insait lo disla taim, give us money after elections so that we can update the roll, and not only after 1 year or six months before elections.”

The people of West New Britain has panned out well so far showing a good number of young adults casting their votes for the first time, and though voters stood in long queues the heat did nothing to keep them away.

Polling took place at Gaongo Ward 4, Saraklok ward 8 and Nahavio ward 5 of Mosa LLG that were set up in a market area and a classroom as well

ARO for Mosa LLG Otto Kinakap in his remarks of the third day of polling said there are 72 teams for polling in the Mosa LLG area starting from Yama Pili and ends at Sarakolk.

After being turned away for not having her name in the common roll, she sat outside the polling area together with many other women and young men and women who stayed around all day hoping the officials would somehow create some way for them to vote.

She was not alone in this. Another concerned voter, Peter Maru who was able to vote but was concerned that a very small number of voters only were able to vote.