EC yet to start recount for Chimbu

THE Electoral Commission has about five weeks to recount the Chimbu regional seat ballot papers and produce the result in court, before Feb 7.
The ballot boxes are still locked up in a container at the Kundiawa police station and officers didn’t know when the recount would start.
Some people, believed to be supporters of incumbent Governor Michael Dua, stopped Electoral Commission officials, their lawyers, and police from transporting the ballot papers to Lae for a recount as per court order.
The court left the timing of transportation to the Electoral Commission.
Chimbu election manager Tom Sine said yesterday that he didn’t receive any information from his headquarters regarding the recount.
Sine said that officers were waiting for directives from the Electoral Commission for the recount and where it would be staged.
The National Court in Waigani had ordered the commission to recount the votes after finding evidence of illegal practices, errors or omissions at the counting venues during the 2017 general elections after an election petition filed by candidate and former governor and Noah Kool.
Justice Colin Makail had ordered the commission to complete the recount by Feb 7.
Chimbu police commander Superintendent Jacob Singura said they were waiting for the commission’s instructions.
“This is something for the Electoral Commission, we are protecting the ballot boxes and maintaining order in the town,” he said.