Authorities must look into hijacking

THE Lagaip/Sirunki electorate in Enga conducted a failed election due to criminals involved in the road blocks set up to hijack ballot boxes heading to the different polling places.
Parties involved in the incident were the so-called “wise men from the west” without the consent from the masses; unlike the controversial hijacking at Maramuni where people’s consent was given.
Lagaip failed completely.
Polling was not conducted, instead, an exchange of gunfire occurred and both State and private properties were destroyed. Lives were lost while other were left homeless.
The main Highlands Highway to Porgera was cut off and the intensity of the situation had people living in fear.
The situation is still tense.
Disgruntled candidates and supporters are aggressively armed and keeping an eye on the hijacked ballot boxes from entering the tally room.
This volatile situation erupted as a result of five different hijacks allegedly orchestrated by candidates.
They have committed a serious electoral offence.
Under the new amendments made to the Firearms Act 2018, the penalty for using unlicensed weapons to hijack the election process is life imprisonment.
The Electoral Commission must not consider counting ballot papers because they do not represent the will of the people.
The State, through the Electoral Commission, cannot consider a by-ele ction because it’s a new district created by the Electoral Boundaries Commission.
The Lagaip administration cannot come under Porgera development authority (DDA) until 2027.
On the other hand, Parliament cannot have an even number of MPs.
By law, the legislative arm of Government must have odd numbers so there is a majority when votes are made (i.e there aren’t any ties).
The same manner is applied at the Supreme Court bench where odd number of judges preside over appellate and original jurisdictions.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission created 7 new districts giving a total from 111 to 118 seats which is a breach of the constitution.
Therefore, the new Lagaip district can be dissolved to reduce by one from the even number of 118 to 117, or, the government can create one more district so that Parliament can have 119 member seats for the 11th Parliament.
This is a suggestion the Electoral Commission may consider.

James Litai
Wabag