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By SENT TIMBI
COUNTING of votes in the Western Highlands province has been further
delayed, with polling officials still refusing to hand over returns and
their reports.
They still want the Electoral Commission to come out clearly on their
allowances before they hand in their returns for counting.
This is despite Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen explaining on
Wednesday the break-up of the allowance.
Mr Trawen also said the tax set by IRC at 25% could not be avoided.
During a meeting yesterday outside the Kapal Haus, more than 1,000
polling officials told election manager Kala Rawali and Assistant Police
Commissioner and Highlands Divisional commander Simon Kauba that they
would hand in their returns upon receiving their full allowances.
Philip Manga, who claims to be representing other polling officials,
said when they receive their money, they would hand in the returns for
counting to start.
Mr Manga said that they were also yet to receive their incidental and
meal allowances.
“The Electoral Commissioner must come out clearly about their rates and
formula used to work out our allowances.”
But Mr Rawali told them it was not his problem but the people who looked
after the money in Port Moresby.
He said he would not promise them when they would be receiving their
allowances but would talk to the people looking after the finance
section.
Mr Kauba appealed to the polling officials to calm down.
He said that election in the Highlands region was conducted peacefully
and wanted that to be maintained.
He urged the polling officials to give enough time to Mr Rawali to
arrange with the finance people for their allowances.
 
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