Ballot boxes redirected: Sinai

ELECTORAL Commissioner Simon Sinai has confirmed that he issued instructions to redirect two containers of empty ballot boxes from Southern Highlands (SHP) to Hela and Enga.
This is after police intercepted a container truck transiting from SHP to Hela and took possession of the vehicle and other containers carrying materials at the Mendi Police Station over the weekend.
“I confirm that on June 22, I instructed the PNGEC (Electoral Commission) logistics convoy to redirect two containers of empty metal ballot boxes from SHP to Hela and Enga,” Sinai said.
He said due to an ongoing 2017 election petition, SHP was not able to access the containers to obtain non-disputed empty metal ballot boxes at the time of the dispatch of the materials.
“PNGEC then sent three containers of empty ballot boxes to SHP.
“While they were in transit to SHP, an approval was granted to access the containers, therefore confirming the stock-take of empty ballot boxes.”
The PNGECthen identified that SHP would no longer need the materials and redirected the containers to Hela and Enga as materials allocated for both provinces were delayed.
“I made a decision and instructed the convoy to redirect to ensure these provinces have enough ballot boxes when polling begins on July 4.” Sinai added.
In addition, he said sensitive election materials such as ballot boxes, inks, candidate posters and rolls were not included in the containers as all were delivered by air transport.
Meanwhile, Southern Highlands polling begins on July 8, a further planned shipment of boxes has already been dispatched and is expected to arrive in time for polling.

ROs complete training on polling and counting

FORTY-nine returning officers and their assistants in Morobe have under-gone a two-day refresher training on polling and counting.
The 10 returning officers and 39 assistants (AROs) from 34 local level governments (LLGs) are preparing for polling on Monday. Provincial election manager Simon Soheke said they went through polling on Sunday and counting processes yesterday.
“They knew a lot of things, but we just recapped on a few areas. Refresher on polling took a day and we went through with them about counting process. We went through the new counting strategy, to count in LLGs,” Soheke said.
He said election materials for the districts would be distributed today.
“The materials will be distributed depending on availability of funds and how fast cash advances are paid to returning officers to easily coordinate logistics and other operations.
“Just the funds need to come quickly for operations. The delay was in transferring funds into our (provincial) subsidiary account. We made our claims to Treasury to release cheques.”
Soheke said training for candidates and their scrutineers would be towards the end of the week. 2,975 officials in 425 teams would be involved in polling. Each team will have seven officials.
Meanwhile, Soheke said he did not have anything to say about the revocation and appointment of the new returning officer for Finschhafen.
“He was appointed by the commission, so I am just ready to work with whoever the commission appoints. It’s just the people on the ground,” Soheke said.

Security personnel prepared for polling, says Neggi

SECURITY preparations for polling next week is on track, says Highlands Eastern End commander Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Chief Superintendent Rigga Neggi.
In a meeting last week in Mt Hagen with the PNG Defence Force Highlands contingent commander Lt-Col Gabriel Gwaibo, Correctional Service (CIS) Highlands commander Supt Fedelis Kaski, Highlands Eastern End deputy police commander ACP Joseph Tondop and Western Highlands police commander Supt John Sagom, Neggi said that all was set to go.
Neggi said the security contingent was out in full force to ensure that polling would be peaceful.
He said with the preferential voting system, a voter would have the opportunity to elect three candidates of his or her choice.
Neggi said members of security force would make sure trouble-free polling in Western Highlands, Chimbu and Jiwaka.
He warned that people must be mindful of their actions.
“As we are prepared, I’m appealing to the people not to create any problems at the booths,” Neggi said.
Tondop also warned candidates and supporters not to carry any weapons.
Gwaibo said: “We will work closely with police to ensure this election flows smoothly so that no lives or properties are affected.”