Counting in East Sepik suspended

By GABRIEL FITO
COUNTING for three East Sepik electorates were suspended yesterday as aggrieved security personnel blocked off entrances to the counting venues over the non-payment of election allowances.
The members of the PNG Defence Force and police auxiliaries early yesterday  closed the gates to the regional counting centre at the Wewak Council Chambers, Golf Club along Boram road.
The security forces were frustrated at not being paid any allowances for counting which was nearing completion. Some of them were not under the Electoral Commission listing but had volunteered on a request from their hierarchy.They met with East Sepik provincial administrator Samson Torovi, police commander Joe Poma, Moem barracks commanding officer Steven Dom and election manager Kila Ralai at 9am to voice their grievances.They insisted that unless they were paid their allowances, the two containers holding ballot papers would not be opened for delivery to the three counting centres.Ralai clarified that the electoral commission had released money for those listed for the election operations but because of the need for more personnel, additional manpower was drawn on an understanding with the provincial administration.“These are the officers who had missed out on the allowances but the provincial administration is keen to assist. I will cross check names of all personnel involved and make a list so there is no double-dipping,” he said.  Dom appealed to the security forces to stop using the issue as an excuse to delay the election process.But by 3pm, counting had not started.
However, election officials remained optimistic it would resume today.