Candidates force suspension of counting in ESP electorate

COUNTING for the Yangoru-Saussia electorate in East Sepik province was suspended on Sunday following
allegations of irregularities raised by candidates during counting at the Wewak Golf Club.
Election operations commander Supt Robert Gesa said the suspension of counting was caused by “people who have very little knowledge of the counting process”.
“The counting centre is also very close to the supporters who stir up unnecessary allegations and disturbances outside when they hear scrutineers disputing the counting of ballots,’’ he said.
“Their disagreements stemmed from very small things such as cast ballot paper of a candidate placed in another candidate’s box or informal ballots found in a candidate’s tray.
“These are very small mistakes which are not done purposely.
“There is nothing suspicious about these mistakes,” he said.
“The current counting process is a system introduced to identify mistakes and it is a very good system.
“Our problem is that we lack knowledge of this counting system,” Gesa said.
He also advised the provincial election manager Kila Ralai on the need to suspend counting indefinitely and call for reinforcement should the situation continue.
Gesa said counting could resume when counting for all other electorates were completed and all manpower re-called for the Yangoru-Saussia counting. 
Counting for the electorate which started on Saturday afternoon was suspended midday Sunday.
In a signed petition to Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen, six candidates including MP Peter Wararu, said the allegations were serious in nature and must be addressed as they created suspicion on the returning officer and counting officials.