EC accused of favouring PNC

PNG National Party leader Kerenga Kua has accused the Electoral Commission of allowing People’s Congress Party (PNC) candidates to be declared before other parties around the country.
He said since polling in the Highlands provinces and the National Capital District took only a day, counting should have been done and the results declared.
“The delays are a real cause for concern,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Kua said that in Chimbu, there had been delays in Sinasina-Yongomugl but in areas where PNC candidates contested, counting was proceeding well even though polling started later.
He claimed that counting for the Ialibu-Pangia electorate was being done at “great speed”, despite some initial problems.
“Similarly, counting in seats for all other parties and their leaders seem to be deliberately slow.
“We then see seats like Tari Pori and Port Moresby South held by PNC candidates being declared already.
“All this is despite the Constitution specifically mentioning that counting must commence immediately after the completion of polling.
“The inconsistency of the Electoral Commission is frustrating and disappointing,” he said.
Kua said Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato had been inconsistent with his decisions and had also taken many “questionable actions”, including his  earlier pronouncement that he would personally be making the declarations.
“He quickly retracted due to public outrage that this action is wrong in law.”
Kua said the Electoral Commission had also failed to account for the printing of extra ballot papers.
“It has a lot to answer to in terms of free, fair and transparent elections.”