Leaders: PNGEC failed people

COMMUNITY leaders in Nipa and Kutubu, Southern Highlands province, have blamed Electoral Commission officials for denying them the right to a fair representation in parliament.
They said the declaration of Pesab Jeffrey Komal as the member-elect in Port Moresby had been done under questionable circumstances.
Moran leader John Pipi said since the process of stripping the disputed votes was allegedly done behind closed doors by a few selected officials, it had brought into question the issue of transparency.
According to candidate Tony Kila, who finished third in the race for the Nipa-Kutubu seat, none of his campaign officials or scrutineers and those working with Philemon Embel, who finished second, were invited to witness how the votes from the seven disputed boxes were removed from the final tally.
Pipi said family ties was another matter that had brought into question the whole process, especially those regarding Komal and provincial elections manager David Wakias.
“We will support our leaders to go to court and have the Nipa-Kutubu election declared failed.”