Electoral Commission has a lot to answer for

Letters

A THANK you to the people of 2-Mile.
Despite being denied my constitutional right to vote, I am content in the fact I tried my best to be heard and to make my vote count.
The Electoral Commission has a lot to answer for, if I could take legal action against those responsible I most certainly would.
I am naturally upset, angry and disappointed, but sadly I am not alone in the denial of my right to vote in the General Election 2022 debacle.
I am registered and downloaded my voter registration from the EC’s website and I carried that with me to my polling location, along with my passport ID, for my electorate; Moresby South, Ward 3.
I was greeted by bystanders in the best friendship PNG has to offer and all with good intentions, despite my reluctance and my hesitancy, I was ushered to the front of the line to vote by all, in what was a large and, given the time of day, very hot but patient crowd.
Such is the untold good side of 2-Mile and its diverse peoples, the real PNG is that makes my home and citizenship as precious and heart warming as it does.
I was subsequently denied voting and so I moved up from 2-Mile to YWCA with the same friendly greeting and intentionally pleasant assistance and again ushered to the front of the queue despite insisting I stand in line.
Disappointingly I was yet again denied my right to vote.
I am however, inspired and impressed.
I am proud of our electioneers and scrutineers on the ground at 2-Mile.
Despite significant pressure from bystanders at the polling venue, they were steadfast in not permitting my vote, despite the production on my voter ID and other ID and printed info off the EC’s website, they stood their ground – if your name is not on the role, then you cannot vote.
I applaud the staff on the ground, I like to give credit where credit is due, and thank my friends of 2-Mile, yet again your genuine friendliness that shone through in one of Moresby’s hardest places to live in the most difficult of times.
Tenkyu tumas. Teniku badahereia

Brian Riches OL
Port Moresby