Hube LLG

Hube's Assistant Returning Officer, Kamis Connery, returned from Lae this afternoon after the court struck out his case yesterday. 

Only one scrutineer was present to witness the verification and confirm the serial numbers of the ballot books and seals.

Connery was arrested on Friday, July 8th, for "interfering with ballot papers/ballot boxes".

It was determined in court that police prosecution should have sought the Electoral Commission's approval before prosecuting the case. 

Connery was charged with ‘interfering with ballot papers/ballot boxes’ under section 191 of the Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections 1997.

Police alleged that on Saturday, July 2^nd, Connery travelled to Finschhafen, from Lae, on a speedboat.

Investigator Simon Yandu, in his brief to the Provincial Police Commander, Jacob Singura, said the ARO transported election materials without contacting the security personnel’s zone commander for FISIKA (Finschhafen-Siassi-Kabwum).