Candidates stop supporters’ protest

By ELIAS LARI
SUPPORTERS of candidates who contested the Kerowagi open seat in Chimbu, attempted to stage a protest march last Thursday in Kundiawa town to show their dissatisfaction with the Electoral Commission for not conducting a free, fair and safe election this year.
The protest march was called off by the police and the candidates because the counting for the regional was in progress and more trouble could have occurred following the protest.
Former MP and United Resource Party candidate Guma Wau, and People’s Progress Party candidate Bari Palma had confronted their supporters and asked them to put down their banners and respect the law.
Wau said the people were doing this because they were not satisfied with the declaration of Camilus Dagema, a T.H.E Party member.
He said that if the protest was staged, it would have led to more chaos in the province.
He said they had presented a petition to the Electoral Commission and the declaration would  be challenged in court.Wau claimed the people had planned to stage the protest because their right in electing a leader was deprived.He said the electoral process had been hijacked and the people’s choices denied. Palma added they were not happy with the electoral officers for making an unfair declaration.
He said there were several issues that would be answered in court.
Palma said that with their quick response, they had saved many lives and public properties which could have been affected.
He said that the fault was with the returning officer and the counting officials of Kerowagi and they would challenge it in the court of disputed returns.