Electoral Commissioner

He said this following a TV interview in which the Ambassador commended the Electoral Commission.

Ebert-Grey said there was less violence, there was good logistical planning, and she noted the initiation of separate lines for women and persons living with disability.

She also urged the Government to urgently work on improving the electoral roll – a year around process - and said the United States has had similar problems.

Gamato said that a review of the roll will be done immediately after the elections.

The comments were made by incumbent Member for Sinesine-Yongomugl, Kerenga Kua, following the declaration of PNC candidates, Jame Marape (Tari-Pori), and Justin Tkatchenko (Moresby South) recently.

Gamato said the statement made by Kua in one of the dailies was incorrect and wanted to rectify any misconceptions.

“In some of my earlier press statement, I said if electorates that have completed their polling, they can allow for two to three days for preparations and go straight into counting.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato reminded electoral officers about the crucial role they play.

However, Gamato thanked all the PNG Electoral Commission staff stationed at the counting venues for their hard work and dedication.

“There will be petitions and disruptions by candidates and scrutineers but the election managers must handle these actions with the legal officers provided to them to keep the election process moving.

“I’ve issued this instruction to all election managers and assistant election managers,” Gamato said.

This afternoon they opted to purchase the CCTV for counting in NCD after Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato told them that the use of CCTV was not budgeted for, when responding to their petition.

He also told them that by law, scrutineers were allowed to scrutinize polling and counting.

Following the extraction of teams into remote Marawaka on Saturday preparations for counting are underway after polling in parts of Goroka.

Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato says some people have asked to extend polling however they cannot as he is satisfied polling has taken place.

In Southern Highlands, poling began on Saturday.

Some areas reported shortage of ballot papers and they include Kagua Rural (Part B), Ialib Urban (Part B) and Mendi Urban (Part B).

Addressing the media today in Port Moresby, Gamato announced the immediate plans to improve many discrepancies and problems related to the elections, particularly the electoral roll.

“Institute a Task Force with the primary responsibility of conducting a forensics assessment of voter roll,” he said.

“Take all necessary steps to initiate an active, continuous registration process under which all eligible voters, eligible citizens are legally obliged to make a claim for inclusion of their names under the electoral roll.”

The call is part of a nine-point petition presented to Gamato at 4 pm today just as a scheduled daily media conference was winding up.

Pangu NCD Candidate Noel Anjo, read the petition, on behalf of nine others to Gamato in front of the media before presenting it to him.

The petition states that:

This was reiterated by the Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato.

Their voting will be at the Cheshire Home in Port Moresby, the reason being that the venue has special facilities readily available for PLWDs.

There will be six boxes available at the venue - two for each electorate in NCD.

Gamato said PLWDs also have the constitutional right to express and cast their vote without fear or favour.

He encouraged all PLWDs living in and around the city to make their way to Chesire home to cast their votes.

NCD's one-day polling starts today at 8am.

“Their matter is in the Supreme Court and is expected back in court on Thursday,” Gamato told Loop PNG, referring to the action by candidates and supporters disrupting flights into the Western Highlands capital this afternoon.     

“These are the same people who filed the case against me and are now taking the law into their own hands to close the Kagamuga Airport.”

A passenger who travelled from neighbouring Southern Highlands Province, Brian Waffi confirmed with Loop PNG that the candidates and their supporters were sitting on the tarmac and protesting.