Enga Provincial Police Commander George Kakas

Enga Provincial Police Commander George Kakas said police investigators are trying to “establish the motive” of the theft.

The incident happened last Wednesday, when unknown persons broke open the container containing the ballot boxes and stole only the two boxes that were not exhausted during the Court ordered recount, which ended two weeks ago.

The container was kept inside the Wabag Police Station yard.   

The recount was started on Saturday after continuous disruptions.   

The court had directed the recount of the seat after a successful election petition by 2012 runner-up Alfred Manase.

The court ordered that the recount must be counted within 30 days which will lapse this Thursday.

If a winner is not declared by close of counting on Thursday, the PNG Electoral Commission must return to Court and ask for an extension.

The counting was supposed to start earlier last week but was delayed because of a protest by the sitting MPs supporter and also unavailability of the PNG Electoral Commission lawyer in Wabag.  

 “The count will start definitely tomorrow,” Gamato told Loop PNG this afternoon.  

 He revealed that the Electoral Commissioner lawyer is on route to Wabag from Mt Hagen by road.