Patilias Gamato

Opposition leader Don Pomb Polye called on Gamato to reveal more facts about the ownership of the Pura Group which is responsible for the printing.

Polye claimed that there was more to the printing deal than meets the eye.

“I ask Gamato to continue to reveal who owns the PNG agent company of the ballot papers printing in Indonesia.

“I have reliable information that the agent is owned by an MP who is aligned to the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s PNC party,” said Polye.

Retired Brig Gen Ted Diro vying for GG’s post

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/retired-brig-gen-ted-diro-vying-gg%E2%80%99s-post-50464

At the age of 73, retired Papua New Guinea Defence Force Commander Brigadier General Ted Diro is putting his hand up for the Governor General’s seat.

Magistrate: Make submissions this Friday

Kua, a former Attorney General challenged the Gamato to set the parameters for the administration and supervision of the entire process of the General Elections.

He called on Gamato to confirm that the Governor-General's invitation to the political party with the most winning seats to form government will be extrapolated from the nomination forms and not from Form 29 of the Electoral Commission.

Polye in a press conference today said, although the Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato is new to the office had so far made some decisions that are of the best interest for the people of PNG.

He praised Gamato for giving candidates ample time to come up with a proper bio data before the elections.

The bio data was due on Dec 16 but now extended to next year.

However, Polye also raised concerns on the updating of the Common Rolls.

He said the timing is not right as the Common Roll update will not be completed on time.

According to Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato, the total eligible voting population was 55, 000 but only 21, 000 casted their votes.

From the figures, more than half of the voting population did not vote.

Timothy Masiu, who was declared the winner in front of 11 other candidates on July 4, 2016, collected 8, 323 votes.

The election writs were returned to Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio last Thursday morning, and he was sworn into office by Parliament Speaker Theo Zurenouc a few hours later.

The electorate is in Milne Bay Province. 

“I want to reiterate that the Electoral Commission has a mandatory duty to conduct a by-election for Samarai-Murua under section 106 of the Constitution; however, funding is an issue,” Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato said.  

“I have written to the Prime Minister requesting for an estimated K4.5 million to conduct a by-election for Samarai-Murua and we are awaiting response.”

Gamato earlier announced that there would be no by-election due to time factor and funding issues.

“It’s against the law to do early campaigning; campaigns are done after the Writs are issued.

“I am appealing to all the intending candidates and leaders (current parliamentarians) not to engage in early campaigns because it is illegal. They must be responsible and stop early campaigns.”

Gamato is calling on candidates who will contest the 111 seats to be vigilant.