Patilias Gamato

“Funds for allowances are parked in the bank, the responsibility now is for the returning officer to provide us with the names and account numbers,” Gamato said.

“Sometimes, on the eleventh hour, they change people’s names and bring in new people and they need to put the bank account (details) so we can transfer their allowances.    

“The issue of funds for allowances should not be the case now because as I am speaking, there is enough money to pay allowances.”

Gamato said he welcomed the comments by the COG Chair, Sir Anand Sayatnand, which highlighted some of the negative and positive aspects of the election this year.

He also said they agreed to a review of the 2017 election once it is completed to better improve for the next.

The COG’s interim report highlighted their disappointment after a recommendation for an improved electoral roll after the 2012 National Election was not implemented.

Returning officer Jack Walara presented the 2017 National Election writ for the member elect for Tari Pori, James Marape to Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato this morning.

Gamato, in congratulating Marape said Tari-Pori has set a bench mark in the country.

He added that if Tari-Pori Open electorate is the first to deliver their member-elect, other electorates in other regions can do the same.

Meanwhile, Marape thanked his people for trusting and having confidence in his leadership. 

He said a lot of people have spoken negative about the 2017 National Elections but the people of Tari-Pori have come in big numbers to deliver their member-elect.

He added that this tells a different but a good and successful story which also indicated that the LPV Electoral System is a proven and tested system.

Gamato made these remarks during the official presentation of the return of writs for the Tari-Pori electorate today.

Gamato said despite all the critics, he is confident that the 2017 National Election will not be a failure.

Tari Pori Returning Officer Jack Walara who declared James Marape on Sunday handed over the writs of the open seat of Hela Province to Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato this morning.

Gamato confirmed to Loop PNG that he will return all the writs of the declared parliament seats to the Governor General after completion of counting.

PNG Electoral Commission media officer Alphonse Muapi also told Loop PNG that all writs for the declared 111 seats will be returned to Governor General Sir Bob Dadae before Monday July 24, 2017.   

Three other teams in the Kerema Open electorate have completed polling, according to the Electoral Commissioner.

Commissioner Patilias Gamato said polling is progressing well in East Kerema as well as Kaintiba.

Polling in all Kerema Urban LLGs have been completed while voting in Kotidanga and Lakikamu LLGs are progressing well and is expected to be completed by this Friday, July 7.

In the Kikori Open electorate, polling in the Baimuru LLG progressed into its second day on Tuesday.

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.