2022 National General Elections

However, after some hours, the clouds moved and the rain stopped, but there was a gloom that continued in the hearts of the citizens who would not be voting to fulfill their democratic rights, because their names weren’t on the electoral roll the officials had.

It was on the first day, Tuesday 5^th July when voters were turned away at the polling sites.

In a media sanctioned conference held at the Tari Police Station on Tuesday 5^th July, Mr Manning commented that he was satisfied with the outcome of the polling in the province.

The sudden decision to delay polling had frustrated thousands of voters in NCD with the PNG Electoral Commission calling an urgent press conference at 10am.

The PNGEC in the absence of Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai was not able to give specific reasons for delaying polling in NCD, but stated that there were interferences in the election processes.

Frustrated Returning Officer, Kusak Meluk, said a large number of citizens could not vote because their names were not on the electoral roll.

Citizens who wished to vote stood in long lines for hours, just to find out that their names were not on the electoral roll. In frustration, they lashed out at polling officials.

A number of venues had to be closed early because of this, with Meluk saying the electoral roll issue has never been rectified.

“We’re going through the same problem,” he stated. “Something has to be done to rectify this electoral roll issue.

Election Manager Sponsa Navi said Madang District and Sumkar have done two days of polling, Usino-Bundi, Bogia and Rai Coas start today, while Middle Ramu starts tomorrow.

Navi said Madang Urban LLG started polling yesterday with majority of the voting population in the wards having cast their votes. He said North and South Ambenob begin today.

He added that polling continues for Madang Urban LLG today as time could not allow voters in wards  8, 9 and 10 to do so yesterday.

“I think what has been happening here has also been happening in other parts of the district and also the country. As we speak Porebada polling has been stopped for whatever reason but the scrutineers there and also here have been disgruntled. They’re not very pleased that the voter listing does not reflect names of everybody who live in the community. So a lot of people are finding themselves excluded or prevented from exercising their constitutional right to vote,” he said.

“In Hela Province, there’s no illegal army.”

Marape emphasized, “There’s no illegal army up there. If there was an illegal army up there, police would not have apprehended these person who was transporting the money.”

He was referring to the K1.56 million confiscated by police that was transported from Port Moresby to Komo in Hela Province by a private construction company.

“Police is at work. I just want to appreciate the work of police and soldiers across the country,” said Marape.

Provincial Election Manager, Philip Telape confirmed the number of officials to this newsroom yesterday afternoon.

“We are arranging polling materials this week as well as numbering the ballot boxes.”

Mr Telape said only polling vests will be worn by polling officials on polling days. He added that they are also preparing the counting venues and putting up tents as per the 11 LLGs. 

“We going to count under LLGs but all to be centralized at the provincial headquarters in Hagen town, at our usual Kimininga Barracks,” he said.

Presiding officer for Kerema Urban, Jerry Hape suspended polling for wards 3, 4 and 5 today and told the voters to go check out their names at the Electoral Office.

Provincial Electoral Manager, Poevare Tore made an announcement to the Kerema public this morning to check the Electoral Roll before they argue with the polling team. 

Tore said, “We had officers sent around to register your household four months ago and it shouldn't be a problem to raise during the polling period.”

“I want to officially relay my appreciation to our people right across the country for their good turnout during the campaign period. 

Marape said generally, the campaign period concluded on a ‘good note.’ Acknowledging a few incidents that took place around the country however stating “there were no substantial incidents” in Hela Province. 

“Up until the moment I left Tari today (July 4), nomination, campaign and polling went smoothly in general sense for Hela Province.”