Court tells police: Do not interfere

The National National

THE National Court has issued an order restraining police from interfering in the counting of the National Capital District regional votes.
Judge Joseph Yagi granted the order following a case filed by Powes Parkop, who is currently leading for the seat he held in the 10th Parliament.
Parkop claimed that police had been interfering in the counting.
“The materials before the court show some serious allegations where there is a consistent abuse of powers, as police officers interfere causing unnecessary delay to the counting process,” Yagi said.
He said no one was supposed to interfere in the powers and functions of the Electoral Commission (EC) in any way.
“It has shown that the police had interfered in the powers of the election manager in the counting centre at Rita Flynn,” he said.
“Six affidavits in support of the application were from the people in the counting area stating that the police officials were threatening the counting officials and scrutineers.” He said these actions seemed to be undermining the EC’s powers. “It shows that police officials’ actions have been delaying the counting process.”

Counting for NCD regional progressing
Scrutineers for the National Capital District regional candidates checking ballot papers inside the Rita Flynn Sports Complex yesterday. – Nationalpic by LULU MAGINDE

COUNTING of votes for the National Capital District regional seat is progressing albeit slowly, says assistant provincial returning officer Tomasi Toua.
He said election manager Kila Ralai had advised him to continue with quality checks and eliminations until a winner was declared.
“We counted only three boxes (on Wednesday) and then the night shift arrived at 8pm. But because there were some disputed boxes put aside, only eight were counted (until) 3am,” he said.
“We’re just trying our best to finish Moresby South. Hopefully we will finish that tonight (last night) and move into Moresby North-East and North-West.”
Counting stations have cut down workers to only four, with a limited number of people allowed in.
An official said the Electoral Commissioner could extend the date for the return of writs by another week until the winners are declared for the four remaining seats.