12mil ballot papers for distribution

By LULU MAGINDE
ELECTORAL Commissioner Simon Sinai says 12 million ballot papers will be distributed in the provinces before polling begins on July 4.
“The distribution of ballot papers will be supervised by the police and the defence force, working with the Australian Defence Force (ADF),” he said.
“So we will have teams from each (force) accompanying the papers for safety purposes.”
There are six million ballot papers for the open seats and six million for the provincial seats.
It is expected that 5.7 million voters will cast their votes, based on the latest common roll update.
One flight left on Saturday to start the ballot paper distribution by the ADF and PNG security forces.
Sinai witnessed the first batch departing for Western on Saturday from the Jackson Airport, saying it marked the start of the General Election 2022.
He acknowledged the ongoing support of the Australian and Papua New Guinean governments in the running of the election operations.
He specifically thanked the ADF and Canberra for supplying the ballot papers.
“Thank you for also supporting the logistics and transportation of the materials to the provinces including ballot papers,” he said.
He said that with nominations completed, everyone should be ready.
Election managers have been briefed and are waiting for the ballot papers, election materials and polling schedules.
“We wish all the candidates all the luck during polling. We are trying all our best to deliver a safe and fair election,” he said.

EC working with courts to identify convicts

ELECTORAL Commission lawyers are currently working with court officials to identify General Election 2022 candidates who have been convicted of a crime and should withdraw their names, says Commissioner Simon Sinai.
“Some might think that this is a straight forward process where we remove the convicts,” he told a radio talkback show on Thursday.
“But we must get the information straight from the court house.
“People have been nominated already so this also concerns their rights to contest.
“We must have a good reason to remove them. But we must get the evidence first.”
The Supreme Court had ruled on May 31 that persons convicted of any offence and sentenced to more than nine months in jail since June 25, 2002 are disqualified for life from contesting general elections.
The Attorney-General through the office of the Solicitor-General, referred various questions and an application seeking the court’s opinion on the meaning and effect of s.103 (3) (e), which was inserted in the Constitution in 2002 in a constitutional amendment.
Sinai explained that the Supreme Court’s decision was given after nominations had closed.
“We had identified the relevant agencies such as the court house, public prosecutor, police crimes unit, attorney-general, and the parole board.
“Our lawyers are working with the courts,” Sinai said.
Sinai said the first step he took was to issue a seven-day notice to candidates convicted of a crime to voluntarily withdraw their nomination.
The seven-day notice ended on Friday.
So far, no candidate has withdrawn their nomination.
Polling is expected to start on July 4.

Prioritise allowances for election workers: RO

By GLORIA BAUAI
HUON-GULF Returning Officer (RO) Daniel Wasinak says allowance for temporary election workers (TEWs) is priority to ensure a smooth electoral process in General Election 2022 (GE22).
“We must pay the TEWs who participated in running the common roll update and candidate nominations for GE22.
“I am concerned that the non-payment of allowance will affect them during polling and may disrupt the GE22 process.
“ROs need a peace of mind when recruiting for the remaining of GE22 programmes and operations,” he added.
Wasinak did not sign the petition presented to the Morobe election steering committee last Tuesday by 34 ROs and their assistants (AROs), but he strongly encouraged the call for immediate release of operational funds.
Wasinak said the province had been relatively quiet compared to GE17.
“The only violence recorded was a clash in Munum last month between supporters of rival candidates.
“That matter is now before the police,” he said.
“Candidates must educate their supporters to stop the rivalry.
“Our election process follows the Limited Preferential Voting (LPV) system, so it should be about sharing votes rather than fighting.
“Let us campaign the right way and let people exercise their right to vote their political leader without intimidation and fear,” he added.
Wasinak also said they were yet to receive their election materials for polling but said it should be in the district by next week.

Kundu pay system to be used for allowances, says Sinai

ALL General Election 2022 (GE22) workers will be paid through the Kundu pay system, says Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai.
The payment system programme was created by the New Zealand government as part of its support for the GE22.
“The system would pay all the allowances by way of pressing a button through the bank,” he said.
It is expected that 50,000 employees will be involved in the polling period and the same number during the counting.
The system would be a better way to pay the employees considering the results of GE17 where there was a lot of risks handling cash.
“The GE22 will have a greater way to manage cash in the 96 electorates through the Kundu pay system – thanks to the support of the New Zealand government,” he said.
Sinai said the New Zealand government also supported the GE22 with logistic and security consultancy.