Kramer: Police did not set up stations at some polling sites

POLICE did not set up stations at some polling stations for the Goroka by-election on Friday, says Police Minister Bryan Kramer.
“In each of these cases, we are now determining whether this was due to ignorance, difficulty understanding the technology, plain laziness – or perhaps other reasons,” Kramer said in a statement on his Facebook page.
He said he was in Goroka on Friday where he met Electoral Commission officials and the provincial police commander to get a first-hand account of the issues faced during polling.
“I did note one or two pictures of illegal voting posted on social media,” he said.
“Perhaps these were staged for the cameras.
“We knew we could not stop all illegal voting overnight.
“Our aim was always to stop the widespread fraud and violence seen so often during Highlands elections, and we did.”
Kramer said the Organic Law on elections provided remedies to address illegal practices during polling.
“A scrutineer may object to any ballot box being counted on the grounds of illegal marking of a ballot paper,” he said.
Kramer said this was done by providing details in writing and any evidence such as video, photographs and eye-witness accounts to support the claims.
He said the Electoral Commission was required by law to accept and make a determination on any disputed ballot box.
“We know certain individuals and supporters of candidates went to the trouble of hijacking the conduct of polling at certain polling locations.
“We now have several of these incidents on tape.”