Committee against EC decision

 THE electoral steering committees in Western Highlands have urged the Electoral Commission to reverse its decision to declare failed elections in the Highlands region.

In a press conference last Friday, chairman of the committee James Papa Ulg said it was premature for Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen to nullify the elections in the 19 LLGs in the region.

Ulg said no major incidents occurred during the LLG elections to warrant that decision. Counting was also progressing well.

Trawen had ruled failed elections in 19 LLGs because of various problems encountered.

But Ulg said there were no serious problems in the five LLGs in Western Highlands and this could be checked with the election manager, assistant returning officers, polling officials and police.

Provincial election manager Philip Talape confirmed that no reports were received from police, assistant returning officers and polling officials.

He said there were a few minor incidents where ballot boxes were damaged in Mul , Baiyer,  Hagen rural and urban.

Talape said in Baiyer LLG, all 48 ward councillors were declared, including the president. 

Western Highlands police commander Martin Lakari said there were no major incident reports received during polling and counting.

Lakari said it would cost the Government more money to conduct fresh elections.