Gamato wants disputed boxes to be allowed for counting

ELECTORAL Commissioner Patilias Gamato has directed that six disputed ballot boxes in North Waghi be allowed for scrutiny and counting.
Gamato made the decision after receiving advice from the Solicitor-General’s office and the reports from the returning officer and presiding officer for Kerowil.
He wrote last Friday to the returning officer for North Waghi Open Andrew Kulangi to allow the six disputed ballot boxes from the Kerowil polling venue to be admitted for scrutiny or counting.
Gamato said the six boxes were from Bolbal One and Two, Kendu One and three, Kapalku Two and Ngumbkora.
Gamato said a petition from candidates provided two amateur video footage of what transpired during polling.
The first footage showed actual polling being conducted.
The second, however, showed what appeared to be the illegal casting of votes for one particular polling booth – the ballot boxes from Kendu One.
“The video footage is from only one ballot box and there was no evidence for the other five boxes, hence they remain allegations of unlawful voting,” Gamato said.
“Briefs of all polling officials including presiding officers from those polling venues indicated that polling was conducted without any major incidents, except that voting commenced a bit late.”