Goroka by-election alledgedly rigged

Letters

THE recent Goroka by-election did not meet the standard which was proudly reported about in the media.
At a polling station, there were no security personnel, no cameras on location and voting rules were not followed.
People in Goroka should not pretend that polling in the recent by-election was a success.
It was no way a success, it was full of alleged bribes, hiding of ballot papers, forced voting, ballot paper grabbing and intimidation.
The Police Minister Bryan Kramer said one thing and something else was happening on the ground during polling.
Goroka is just along the national highway and was overcrowded with rowdy voters standing right in front of the polling officer marking the ballot papers.
The secret ballot box put up for voters to mark their papers was surrounded by the public.
Despite constant calls from the polling officers telling people to get behind the temporary fence that was put up, no one listened to them.
People who allegedly received cash from candidates were at the front causing nuisance and depriving people’s rights to cast their votes freely.
So tell me, is this fair voting?
Is this part of ‘take back PNG’ as widely used by the Government under Prime Minister James Marape?
The Government is liable to answer for the failure that occurred in the Goroka by-election.
A proper investigation needs to be carried out into the by-eleciton.
The investigation should be done thoroughly to reveal what transpired.

Eye Lukim
Goroka By-Election