Commissioner threatens to fail Nipa-Kutubu

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Tuesday July 24th, 2012

By JAMES GUMUNO
ELECTORAL Commissioner Andrew Trawen has threatened to fail the election in Nipa-Kubutu, Southern Highlands province.
Trawen had issued the warning last Friday after two of his previous letters directing the electorate’s returning officers not to count papers in nine ballot boxes were not adhered to.
In the letter last Friday, Trawen had requested acting returning officer Ambopai Ekai to send him a written report confirming that he had given effect to the directives by not counting the ballot papers in the rejected boxes from Upa 1, Embi 1, Pomberel 1 and 2, Ingip 1 and 2, Merep 1, Yomo 1 and 2.
Trawen said he was disturbed that even after he had revoked the appointment of John Harrisol as the returning officer for Nipa-Kutubu Ekai and the counting officials had decided to count the disputed boxes.
“This is my last letter to you concerning this matter as I am contemplating failing the Nipa-Kutubu open electorate,” Trawen said in his letter.
The precious letters from Trawen were written on July 3 and July 11.