Elections

Granting a leave to Patrick Basa to review the court decision of 26 May 2023 that declared his election null and void.

Basa, who was declared under special circumstances but ousted in the court of disputed returns in May this year will now file a stay application to set aside the orders of May for a by-election while the review proceeds to trial.

On Monday Justice Canning granted the leave to review the application filed by Kabwum MP Patrick Basa after the National Court declared his election null and void, ordering a by-election for the Kabwun Open Electorate.

The suspect, identified as Peter Yakos, has also been linked to the brutal killings and destruction of Kompiam Station.

Yakos was taken into custody and charged with five counts of wilful murder and one count of arson.

According to Commissioner of Police David Manning, the probe into the series of crimes that took place during the election has been ongoing, and new evidence has come to light, revealing the potential involvement of senior provincial and national leaders in the area at that time.

Chairman of the Special Parliamentary Committee on the 2022 National General Elections, Allan Bird, said during that time, voters were compliant and voted in good spirit.

But as time went on, PNG’s elections started getting worse and worse. 

In a press conference at the Lae International Hotel on yesterday, Bird, who is also Governor of East Sepik, said during their initial discussions with Police Commissioner David Manning, and PNG Defence Force Commander, Major-General Mark Goina, it was forecasted that the 2027 elections will be worse.

Transparency International PNG’s (TIPNG) Domestic Election Observation Report 2022 stated that causes of violence included citizens’ dissatisfaction on their ability to vote.

The media also reported an estimated 50-200 people died through election related violence in the country.

A notable incident was the shooting allegedly by security personnel of a woman trying to vote in NCD.

TIPNG says the persistent level of violence calls into question the state’s strategy relating to election security.

When attending PANGU Pati member, John Kaupa’s declaration yesterday, DPM Rosso highlighted that PANGU’s big win was the choice of the people and that the election was not rigged by PANGU as assumed by many.

“PANGU Pati has been given a huge mandate by our people, now Kaupa is our 37^th candidate, and so the people of PNG have spoken, many people saying that PANGU Pati rigged the elections but you have seen it yourself?” he asked. 

The two counts fall under the criminal code and summary offences act.
 
Lae Metropolitan Superintendent, Chris Kunyanban, said a complaint was lodged regarding wilful damage that amounted to at least K10,000.
 
Kunyanban said a vehicle was allegedly damaged during a campaign rally at Eriku Oval by Ps Peter Fabian and his supporters.
 
“The person who was the victim registered his complaint through normal process – like anybody would do,” he stated.
 

Morobe Election Manager, Simon Soheke, clarified that the polling date, which was initially set for Tuesday, July 5^th, has been brought back to Monday.

“Campaigning will end tomorrow, Friday, July 1^st,” he stated.

“By midnight, all political rallies, campaigning using loudhailers and candidates’ gatherings must cease by tomorrow.

“On Saturday and Sunday, we will have an in-depth look at the candidates and on Monday, we’ll go into the polls.”

Just this month, the Electoral Commissioner revoked the appointment of Esia Batu as Finschhafen’s Returning Officer (RO), and replaced him with the head teacher of Ogeranang Primary School, Kawage Mesere.

Since this month's revocation of Batu, 26 out of the 27 Finschhafen candidates and their supporters have been disputing the change, claiming it to be foul play and in the interest of one of the candidates.

The candidates have been meeting with officials at the Morobe Electoral Commission office since last week to air their grievances.

He said candidates have this week to polish up and do their final campaigning.

Sinai said all campaign activities including movement of people and staging rallies will end on Friday. He urged candidates to observe and respect electoral laws by removing loud hailers and speakers mounted on their vehicles after Friday in readiness for polling which starts on 4 July 2022.

The Commissioner said polling will not be conducted on Saturday and Sunday (July 2-3), as these are considered days of worship and is protected by law.