Gamato: Recount set for Goroka

By REBECCA KUKU and LUKE KAMA
JUDICIAL recount for the Chimbu provincial seat will be conducted in Goroka, Electoral Commissioner Patilas Gamato says.
Police Commissioner Gari Baki, however, is adamant recounting must be done in Kundiawa.
Gamato, told The National he had reconsidered his decision on the counting venue and had moved it to Goroka for security reasons and because it was closer.
Electoral Commissioner’s delegate Simon Sinai told The National that recount would be done at the National Sports Institute in Goroka.
“Based on security assessment and the National Court’s order not to count in Kundiawa, we have moved the recount venue to Goroka to comply with the court order,” he said.
“The recount starts on Monday and is expected to be completed in 50 days using electronic verification of the ballot papers.”
Sinai said the commission would seek an extension as the deadline of February 8 for return of results to the court for verification would certainly lapse.
“Returning officer Kila Ralai and other PNGEC officers are already in Goroka to prepare for counting to commence next week Monday.”
Meanwhile, the commission is waiting for Finance Department to release K2.5 million, which is the balance of K3 million appropriated for the recount.
Baki told The National that his stand that counting must be done in Kundiawa had not changed and he would direct his lawyers to file for a review to have counting done in Kundiawa for security reasons.
“Police position remains the same for counting to be done in Kundiawa. We will bring in additional manpower for the counting,” he said.
“A senior officer from police headquarters will be responsible for the counting. There will be no change to this position.”
Chimbu Governor Michael Dua supported Baki, saying it was the people’s democratic right to have the counting done on their land.