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By PETER KORUGL in Kundiawa
ELECTION and security officials in Kundiawa are baffled over a decision
by a returning officer not to conduct polling in Chuave in Simbu
province yesterday.
Chuave and Gumine are the only two electorate in Simbu facing delays in
polling, with the situation in Gumine caused by the late arrival of
security forces from other provinces.
Polling in Chuave was suspended by returning officer Gande Mondo,
apparently without the authority of election manager John Ellee or
Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen.
Mr Ellee said the delay in Chuave was unnecessary and those responsible
would be dealt with.
Provincial police commander Supt Joe Tondop and Mr Ellee said all
polling teams and ballot papers were dispatched to all polling areas but
for some reasons polling was suspended by Mr Mondo.
“Mr Mondo and operations commander (police) Insp Goimba informed us that
the people were not ready to cast their vote.
“I don’t know if this is true. I can’t believe that the people were not
ready. I am sidelining my operations commander immediately (today),”
Supt Tondop said.
The two men refused to say whether they suspected foul play there, but
Mr Ellee said he was seeking legal advice on the matter.
“They suspended polling without knowledge. Polling should be conducted
as soon as our teams move into the polling areas with the ballot boxes
and papers,” Mr Ellee said.
Meanwhile, polling in Karamui will be completed today while polling in
Kerowagi, Kundiawa (Gembogl) and SinaSina-Yongumulg were completed
yesterday.
 
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