Complaints raised over late nominees

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Wednesday July 3rd, 2013

 By FRANCIS POKA

CANDIDATES vying for the Mt Hagen lord mayor’s seat have complained that late nominations for the local level government president’s seats were accepted by the Western Highlands Electoral Commission office.

Intending candidate councillor Fox Noah said nominations closed on June 14 and public draws from Mt Hagen urban returning officer showed that 32 candidates were nominated for the lord mayor’s seat.

Noah said he was surprised to see the figures rise to 40.

He said the electoral commission must work transparently and avoid corruption.  

Noah, an experienced councillor, led the Mt Hagen urban ward 1 council for the past 10 years.  He had vacated that post to contest the lord mayor’s seat.

Another candidate Elijah Samson said election officials were public figures therefore they should work honestly and fairly.

“Today we need quality and Godfearing leaders to bring tangible developments to the city and the province,” Samson said.

“We are not campaign to benefit government budgeted K500,000 for LLG presidents but to render services in a righteous way.”