National General Elections 2022

After Primary count of all 10 LLG’s, incumbent Governor and Senior Statesman Sir Julius Chan won through a convincing 31,717 Votes.
This was 54.66 percent of the total formal Votes of 58,024.

Indigenous party candidate, Moses Markis was the runner-up with 16, 592, while only female candidate, Rhodie Paut from Tandis village in the Sentral Niu Ailan received 2,115 votes. 

Governor Sir Julius Chan during his declaration ceremony thanked all New Irelanders for the mandate and for trusting his leadership to lead the province for another five years.

East Sepik Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Albert Beli, who is Security Commander for the election operations, said only Maprik and Yangoru-Saussia started counting yesterday.

Counting for the regional seat, Angoram, Wewak, Ambunti-Drekirkir and Wosera Gawi starts next week.

The second day of counting began at 9.30am and started with ballot box 3 that contained votes from the wards of Volavolo, Ratavul, Karavia, Pilapila and Ratung in Balanataman LLG. 
Only one box from these areas is being counted.

Assistant Returning Officer for Kombiu LLG, John Matava who took lead of day two of counting this morning reminded everybody that scrutineers played an important role in ensuring transparency be maintained at counting venues, but they should not interfere with the progress of counting process.

Scrutineers became suspicious and would not let the vehicles through, claiming that two ballot boxes were inside.

Returning officer (RO), Kusak Meluk, clarified that the vehicles were hired by the Electoral Commission, and EC officials were there to see him regarding preparations for counting.

“That was the fault of the Electoral Commission,” RO Meluk said.

“I told them, it’s sensitive now.

“As soon as Nawaeb (Urban) people remove their stuff (ballot boxes), then we can go down.”

At 10.30 this morning, the crowd were still waiting to vote, despite getting information earlier in the morning that polling was deferred.

The frustrated public said they have heard of the deferral of polling in NCD but no one from the Electoral Commission or its officials have come out to explain the reasons for deferral, leaving them in suspense.

Burns Peak community spokesman, Peter Pamundi said they are disappointed about the delay in polling and want answers.

The NCD Election Steering committee will be issuing a statement at 10am today to provide details of the deferral.

Hundreds of public servants have marked this day to cast their votes as per the original schedule.

It is understood the latest date expected for polling in NCD is Friday 8th July. This will also be confirmed by NCD Election Manager Kila Ralai in today's press conference.

“It is the mission of the members of the security forces to ensure we have a free, fair, safe and corruption free National General Elections 2022. But this responsibility is not solely ours alone but for every citizen of Papua New Guinea,” said David Manning at the launch of the 2022 National General Election Joint Security Task Force parade at the Sir John Guise stadium recently.
 

Mr Tondop said this during the Joint Security Task Force (JSTF) awareness on violence free, fair, and peaceful 2022 National General Election in Kundiawa, recently.

He urged them to think about their future, and that of their children, and elect leaders who are selfless and will put the interest of the people first.

“I appeal to everyone to sit with your families or communities and discuss who the best leader is. Never let anyone influence you. You know what kind of services you need at the village level so choose someone who can bring services,” he said. 

“The National General Election in Hela Province went smoothly and peacefully yesterday.

“I voted in my Karai Village. Few ballot boxes were destroyed over candidates and supporters dispute in the newly created Hulia Komo electorate. This was predictable because in some instances you have two to three candidates contesting from one council ward. 

“My congratulations to the Hela Election Manager John Tipa for conducting a very transparent election process and hope the counting will follow smoothly and winners declared soon,” he said. 

Despite grievances by candidates, Kliawi allowed for polling to continue after confirming with scrutineers that the physical number of ballot papers counted during quality checks over the weekend, corresponded with the numbers on the dispatched listing.

Kliawi said any claims or allegations need to be accompanied with evidence.

Kavieng Open candidates and scrutineers fronted up at the police station early Monday morning following a written petition addressed to New Ireland PPC, Chief Inspector Felix Nebanat.