Electoral Commission

Electoral Commission must sort legal rep

 Justice Collin Makail of the Waigani National Court said the Electoral Commission, Attorney General and Solicitor General need to sit down and meet on the representation of the Electoral Commission by law firms in Election petition matters.

Petitions filed are going for direction hearing at this state, to prepare it for trial, but some have not progressed far, due to the conflict in legal representation for the Electoral Commission.

Zurenuoc withdraws petition against Paita

Former Speaker of parliament and Finschhafen MP, Theodore Zurenuoc, withdrew the petition he filed against current MP, Rainbo Paita, today.

The petition also filed by runner-up in the Telefomin Open seat, Peter Iwei, against re-elected MP Solan Mirisin, was withdrawn.

These two petitions are among 77 filed in court.

Meanwhile, the legal representation of the Electoral Commission in some petitions filed, continues to disrupt the progress of the cases progressing to directions in prepration for trial.

​Electoral Commission taken to court

His lawyer, Arnold Amet, appeared yesterday before Justice Collin Makail, informing the Court that his client’s case is based on the grounds of errors and omissions made during the counting period.

The lawyer further clarified that there are no allegations against the sitting Manus MP, Job Pomat, despite being named as the 1st respondent in this case.

The sitting MP’s lawyer, Stephen Pokawin, indicated to Court that because of this reason, they will be filing a Notice of Objection to Competency.

NZ Electoral Commission to help enrol gang members

The Commission had earlier said it did not feel comfortable going onto the gang's premises.

A gang advocate, Denis O'Reilly, said getting gang members to vote was a way of helping them become more law abiding.

RNZI reports O’Reilly praised the Commission for getting Black Power members registered at a meeting on a marae in Hawera recently.

"It's a symbol by the Crown that says, 'We care. Yes we will thrash you if you break the law, but we also want to engage with you'.

"So it's as symbolic as anything," Mr O'Reilly said.

​NGO condemns media freedom violations during elections

This includes a gag order on a well-known blogger as a result of a complaint by the head of the Electoral Commission.

In a statement, the RSF said journalists who went to cover the elections in the northern province of Madang were kept at bay by the police and the electoral commission.

“In the capital, Port Moresby, the media were not allowed to film or take photos in the city’s main vote- counting centre.

VIDEO: Electoral Commission extends return of writs

This comes as counting continues in parts of the country and up to 60 seats yet to be declared.

 

Meredith Kuusa with more 

 

EC highlights ‘steady progress’ with payments

Commissioner Patilias Gamato said the human resource team has processed payments for 65 of the 89 districts so far and has established an agreement with Bank South Pacific to give priority to these payments.

He said in a statement that as districts complete their counts and verify their counting officials, these payments are also being made.

“The BSP bank checks each batch of payments as they are received to check that bank account details are correct and that accounts are active.

Gamato: There is no media ban

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato said this when responding to the reported media ban at the NCD counting venue on Wednesday, following the arrest of NCD Election Manager Alwyn Jimmy on Monday night.

“Media is a very important stakeholder in the 2017 National Election because the media provides independent scrutiny of the election process to ensure that the whole process is transparent, impartial and has integrity,” he said in a statement.

​Candidates demand halt to quality checks

The candidates have petitioned the Electoral Commission to stop quality checks because their scrutineers were not present during counting on Sunday (July 9) and Monday night.

The candidates claim that there was foul play during the counting process.

Candidate Joe Daure, on behalf of the candidates, highlighted that the Electoral Commission must look into this issue.

In the petition, the candidates have demanded for two scrutineers to be present at the counting venue and allow them to closely observe the counting of the ballot papers.

Polling officials demand payments

A large crowd comprising presiding and assistant presiding officers have fronted up at the Electoral Commission’s Boroko Office to make their demand.

Most of the officials are those that conducted polling in Moresby North-West and Moresby North-East.

They claim they are yet to be paid their risk allowances as well as camping allowances.

While polling allowances were paid, they claim some received full amounts while others had to share.

The officials want payments to be made immediately before counting begins.