Polling

The region consists of four districts, Arawa, Panguna, Wakunai and Kieta, and the delay has affected over 40 000 eligible voters.

CBR Returning Officer Denise Palipal confirmed reports received from the voters that many of the names are not on the electoral roll.

Palipal and CBR police commander Spencer Aila urged all 49 polling teams not to carry out polling until the preliminary roll is printed and distributed to them.

Palipal confirmed that they will be using the preliminary roll from the 2012 elections.

Most of the delays around the country have been due to issues of missing names on the electoral rolls, security, outstanding service providers’ costs, disagreements with election presiding officials and movement of materials due to bad weather for those rural areas.

He said these when giving an update on the progress of polling in the provinces, since Saturday, from across the country.

In the New Guinea Islands region, all five provinces started on Saturday except for New Ireland, which commenced polling on Monday, and Bougainville.

The Electoral Commission confirmed this morning after confusion hit the nation’s capital at the start of its one-day polling.

All electorates in NCD will go to the polls on Friday after electoral officials raised concerns over their allowance not being paid last night.

There is also confusion over the electoral roll as most eligible voters’ names are not on the roll. Even some candidates’ names are not on the roll.

Provincial Election Manager Tom Sine told Loop PNG this morning that everything has been prepared and polling teams are ready to conduct the polls.

He said despite the deferral on Monday, people are looking forward to casting their votes today.

The one-day polling, scheduled for yesterday for the three highlands provinces, did not eventuate in some districts due to grievances raised by candidates and supporters regarding the Electoral Roll and other issues.

More to come...

When addressing the media today, Tkatchenko said the last thing we want is a failed election.

He said this following reports of ballot papers floating around, as published on social media.

“We need to get to the bottom of it immediately,” Tkatchenko said.

“We cannot allow candidates doing these illegal practices when we have a democratic system that is being run for the benefit of our people.

“People must vote freely without being cheated by these actions.

The distribution of ballot papers from Arawa police station to the three regions; North, South and Central Bougainville, started on the weekend.

Ballot papers for nearby areas were dispatched this morning.

Security personnel include seven correctional service officers, 64 regular police personnel and assistance from the New Zealand Police.

The 64 regular police personnel have been split into two teams; the polling team and response team.

Voters assembled at the Marimari Haus Lotu polling venue early this morning only to be turned away by the polling team.

The team of five polling officers and one police officer arrived to find out that the electoral roll is yet to be printed by the electoral office in Bougainville.

The polling team says three polling venues in Ward five, North Nasioi, are yet to receive the electoral rolls as the electoral office in Bougainville has not printed enough.

The Media Centre will be responsible for releasing all validated information during polling and counting.  

Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato who launched the media centre, said the centre will be a vital platform for informing the public.

Information uploaded from the media centre onto its website will come from the Presiding Officers during polling and Returning Officers during counting.

Kelton said polling teams were dispatched since Wednesday, while the remaining will be sent out today and early tomorrow morning.

A total of 61 polling teams will travel throughout the length and breadth of the province.

22 teams have been spread throughout the five LLG’s of Kandrian-Gloucestor, while 39 teams will cover the seven LLG’s of Talasea.

Polling will be held for seven days.

Meanwhile, Kelton said the province is currently experiencing strong winds and showers and this could lengthen the polling process.

Secretary for Personal Management John Kali confirmed this today.

However, Kali said public servants must be given time off to cast their votes.

He said he has instructed Departmental Heads give time off to public servants, with pay, to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

The private sector has also been instructed to allow its employees to vote as well.

Polling will begin tomorrow June 24 and ends on July 8, 20-17.