Baki: I’ll meet with Gamato first

POLICE Commissioner Gari Baki says he will have to meet with Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato and Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari before he comments on the contentious issue of the Hela by-election.
Prominent Hela leader Larry Andagali filed summons in the Waigani National Court on Wednesday seeking orders that it be conducted immediately.
The papers, filed by lawyer George Lau, named the Electoral Commission as first defendant, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill as the second, the National Executive Council (NEC) third, Baki fourth and the Independent State of PNG as the fifth.
Andagali is seeking, among other issues, an order that Baki provides a security report to O’Neill and the NEC through the Office of the Chief Secretary within seven days.
“I’m not going to comment on that issue as yet,” Baki told The National yesterday.
“The newspapers have run a story and I can’t comment on that as the Electoral Commissioner and I will be meeting with the chief secretary to discuss the issue before we can make any comments on it.
“I’ve sent my own team to do an assessment (of the security situation in Hela), that’’s why I need to discuss this in confidence with the Electoral Commissioner before I can make any statement.” Gamato and Lupari did not respond to phone calls yesterday.
Deputy Opposition leader Sam Basil said the issue should be resolved as soon as possible in the best interest of the people.
Basil said although there were rules to follow regarding the by-election “I believe that people should have representation”.
“I do not want to bring myself into the politics of Hela, however, it really depends on the Electoral Commission.
“If it’s within the law, then it’s appropriate that Hela people should have a representative at the provincial level.”