ARO, officer sidelined over alleged misconduct

By GLORIA BAUAI
USINO-BUNDI returning officer (RO) Terence Baiyo says his assistant (ARO) for Usino and a police officer have been sidelined since Sunday, July 31, for misconduct.
Baiyo said the two had bought beer at Ramu with money meant for rations for counting officials.
“I advised my ARO not to enter the counting premises while under the influence of alcohol as per the strict electoral laws and he did,” he said.
“But with many existing allegations, candidates and scrutineers called for his removal so he has since been sidelined.”
Provincial police commander Mazuc Rubiang confirmed the police officer concerned as Ramu police station commander Insp Edward Alphonse.
He said Alphonse and his 25 officers from Ramu Police Station had since been discharged from electoral duties and returned to their command.
“I have to be tough on my men first I can be on the public,” he said.
“We don’t have enough time; we don’t want bad police behaviour to disturb and taint our good work.”
Rubiang said following petitions, police had been pulled out of the counting venue to monitor external premises only, leaving army personnel to provide security within the counting venue.
The 15-men PNG Defence Force team were stationed in the counting room, outside the venue and were also doing roving patrols.
“We have exhausted all our rations, our allowances and our security personnel will be pulled back to Madang town to oversee the regional eliminations,” Rubiang said.