Provincial Returning Officer

Commissioner forced to relocate SHP counting

The ballot boxes were transported to Mt Hagen under tight security escort over the weekend.

Provincial Elections Manager, Jacob Wakias, in a press conference in Mt Hagen yesterday told the media that the Election Commissioner has directed him to change the venue.

Southern Highlands was the second province in the country to go for polling after Hela. Declarations of its five districts were completed successfully but the counting for the provincial seat is still going on.

Court refuses to interrupt SHP counting

Candidate Joseph Kobol filed an urgent application on July 13 seeking interim injunction to stop returning officer Jacob Kurap from performing the duties and function of a Provincial Returning Officer.

Lawyer representing Kobol said the appointment of Kurap as provincial returning officer is not created by law under section 19 of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government Elections (OLNLLGE).