Fake news dangerous: Manning

POLICE Commissioner David Manning says he is concerned with fake news over social media, describing it as dangerous for Papua New Guinea.
Manning made the comment on Thursday when disputing a recent post on social media that alleged that he had threatened policemen and ordered the release of K1.56 million confiscated in Hela.
Manning said: “That is totally false. The cash in question is still in police custody.
“Five individuals arrested over this incident are currently in police custody.
“Police investigation into this matter is still progressing.
“As I have previously stated, the public will be informed once the investigation is completed.
“It is totally disgusting that individuals with ulterior motives can go to such lengths to discredit the work of police and security forces currently involved in General Election 2022 (GE22).
“If anything, police and members of the security forces should be congratulated and commended for being vigilant and diligent in the discharge of their constitutional duties.
“Members of the security forces around the country have so far confiscated large amounts of cash, illegal firearms, illegal ammunition, as well as police and military uniforms.”
“For and in the interest of administering the rule of law, I, nor any other member of the constabulary will derail or abort any police investigation currently underway.
These will continue and arrive at their natural conclusion and from then recommendations will be made as to what course of action to be taken.
“Rest assured that all this will be done transparently with the release of timely information to the public through the media.
“I am now appealing to everyone to refrain from posting unconfirmed and unsubstantiated reports over social media.

No charges laid on MP

NO criminal charges have been laid against National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop, according to NCD Metropolitan Supt Gideon Ikumu.
Ikumu made the clarification after Parkop was detained at the Boroko Police Station for about four hours on Thursday night for being in possession of K25,000 in cash. Ikumu said investigations were ongoing and if substance were found he might be brought in for questioning again.
“Investigation is the only way to establish the truth so we can justify it, our actions must be clear, transparent and accountable, that’s the direction to all policemen,” he said.

Electoral crimes will not be tolerated: EC

Helping hand … Aspasia Sawaraba providing free water and other cold drinks to polling officials at Ensisi Valley polling venue in Port Moresby, National Capital District (NCD). Sawaraba has been living in Ensisi for almost 10 years. She said she has been seeing and hearing a lot of negative commentaries about the Electoral Commission (EC) and its officials and feels like Papua New Guineans must not only look at the negatives but the positives as well. She said she felt she needed to do something when seeing the polling officials set up in what happened to be a hot day and decided to give them cold drinks. – Nationalpic by DALE LUMA.

By LULU MAGINDE
THOSE who commit electoral offences will face the full extent of the law as any electoral crime will not be tolerated, says Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai.
Examples of punishable electoral offences provided by Sinai were double voting or a voter being caught using someone else’s name on the common roll to vote to name a few, but he emphasised that a written complaint would have to be made.
“We have election laws and offences and so the Electoral Commission (EC) is ready to do its part and work with the police and other law enforcement authorities to provide information that prosecutes and sanctions those who commit or breach these laws,” he said.
“The elections have been delivered by people in your communities – teachers, social workers, mothers and fathers – who are committed to bringing you the elections in the urban, rural, highlands and coastal areas so respect these people and the process,” he added. Referring to instances or allegations of violence, particularly in the Highlands as a high-risk area, Sinai added that when there was violence, everyone should be concerned.