‘Election problems not EC’s fault’

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Wednesday July 4th, 2012

By ELLEN TIAMU
ELECTION-related pro­blems causing so much concern should not be solely blamed on the government and the Electoral Commission, a Lae resident said. 
Nethysu Ayangbiang said citizens of Papua New Guinea should cop the blame themselves after they pushed for the elections to go ahead when the government was considering a deferral.
There had been moves from within the government early this year to defer the general elections by six months considering the commission’s unpreparedness especially on the up­dating of the common roll.
Ayangbiang said the extra six months should have given the commission enough time to properly update the common roll.
He witnessed voters in Lae going from one polling station to the next to check on their names. Some gave up quickly and returned
home.
“But the election process is already underway and can’t be aborted at this stage,” he said.
Ayangbiang said it should be a big lesson to everyone in particular the commission and the government when they prepare for the 2017 elections.