Gamato told to step aside

The National Main Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
ELECTORAL Commissioner Patilias Gamato has been asked to step aside while allegations against him are investigated, according to Prime Minister James Marape.
Deputy Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai will be acting in Gamato’s position.
Gamato was advised of the Cabinet decision on Tuesday afternoon.
“With the police arrest, we have asked the electoral commissioner to step aside for six months,” Marape said.
“Once he is cleared, he will return.”
He said Cabinet and the Electoral Commission appointments committee had sought advice from the State Solicitor before making the decision because of the implications of certain sections of the constitution regarding Gamato’s position.
“We received advice from the State Solicitor and thus the decision was made,” Marape said.
The constitution states that a Constitutional office holder (including the Electoral Commissioner as defined under Section 221(e) “may not be suspended, dismissed or removed from office during his term in office except in accordance with a Constitutional Law.”
Section 126(6) protects the Electoral Commission from outside or hidden influence, stating that “the Electoral Commission is not subject to direction and control by any person or authority.”
The only circumstances which warrant the replacement of an electoral commissioner is when he or she dies, resigns, becomes terminally ill and cannot perform the duties of the Commissioner, or found guilty by a competent court and imprisoned.

16 comments

  • Let him go for good. Simon Sinai is the possible candidate for the com post so congratulations to him. Hope Gamato will not come back after 6 months.

  • An example of a provincial public servant who ventured into the national level with no solid footing at that level. Not surprise he didn’t last.

  • Gamato is Peter O’Neill’s man and, therefore, it is incongruous for him to remain a key figure in the Merape administration. However, Gamato played a pivotal role in O’Neill’s reelection and, if Merape wants to win the next poll,, he might need to call upon his expertise in that field.

  • Gamato is the most corrupt Electioral Commissioner in the history of PNG. The nature is agreeing for is removal from office.

  • He has to resign or I don’t know if he can be sacked but the law says he cannot be suspended so how come he is told to step aside.?? You cannot tell him to step aside for 6 months and appoint a acting EC. That is what the law is saying! Force him to resign or sack him if the law allows or change the laws first.

  • Section 126(6) of the Constitution needed to be amended in order to accommodate suspension if the Electoral Commissioner is alleged of a crime, misconduct of office, misappropriation of public funds, etc. That’s a public office and any capable person can occupy and not any individual person has right to that office. After all the NEC the executive arm of the Government of Papua New Guinea has the power to executive the policies and date to day running the affairs of the country concerned, provided by the Constitution and other laws of PNG.

  • Dear Rufus Chuckabutty you seemed to talk without thinking,even you don’t simply understand the statement above,by law how can a senior government officer’s occupying the top post will still perform the duty when under such allegations.maski pairap osem pop kon….

  • Let the law deal with this situatiion to prevent a serious constitutional crisis. We hope regionalism and wantokism does not take precedence over common sense.

  • Gamato, if his sins have caught up with him, let the full force of the law be imposed on him…….. if some of his crook deals under table and if he is he reason for some parts of the country to suffer from basic government services, then may the fair God give him what he deserves…..

  • The Constitution should be amended to terminate or dismiss the Commissioner on any grounds of official corruption, bribery, manipulation and etc (this should also apply to all the other departments such as IRC, Police, and etc), and for his (Gamato’s) case, he should be taken off from payroll and, other Privileges and Benefits should be put on hold for now.

  • 2017 election has been the most corrupt election that has been conducted. He fall prey to most political tycoon to create wealth out their pocket and filled his purse with millions of conspiracy.
    Let him get rest.

  • It is by time the bad weed in the gardens of the beautiful land of Papua New Guinea has to be weeded out to “take back PNG to make it a rich black Nation” as FOOTNOTED by Honourable PMJM when he moved into the Top Job of his Country.
    Now the new Government is in ultimate total power to make and alter any decision by the NEC. Therefore, former HOD, Secretaries, line Managers and former MPs and PMs have to keep their mouths shut.
    Otherwise, the Opposition in the NP has to raise grieve concerns and arguments if need be if it’s to be interest for the Country.
    Going forward, allow PMJM and his men(MPs) in the Parliament as representatives from every Districts and Provinces in the country to make credible decisions and run the country.
    Hence leave them alone and watch how best they (MPs) steer the nation forward for the prosperity of this nation. Moreover, if anyone finds something wrong with the current Government then deal with them in 2020 National Èlections.
    God bless Papua New Guinea.
    Mapupai…

  • What happened to Deputy Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai’s charges back in 2012 over alleged official corruption? Is he the same Simon Sinai or different person?

  • Yes Mel, if he has not been cleared then he should also be investigated. Politics in this country stinks of corruption.

Comments are closed.