Madang goes into full swing

By JAYNE SAFIHAO
COUNTING in the six districts of Madang province goes into full swing today after a protest over pay by police officers was resolved yesterday.
Election co-ordinator in charge of security senior inspector Jacob Bando confirmed that police officers had been paid.
Bando said his men agreed to return to work and provide security at the counting venues and escort ballot boxes from the districts to Madang town.
All regional boxes for the five districts arrived late yesterday at the Jomba Police Station.
The Aiome council chambers, in the Middle Ramu area, and the Sumkar district, started counting at 6pm yesterday, returning officer for Middle Ramu, Adolf Duangha said.
Bogia should start counting this morning at the Bogia council chambers.
But it depends on when allowances for polling officials and other administrative issues are sorted out.
Boxes from the Naho Rawa and Astrolobe Bay area in Raicoast, are locked up at the Jomba station in Madang.
Only the Naiudo and Saidor boxes are still held at the district headquarters in Saidor.
Returning officer Jimmy Aspel said a team conducting polling in the mountainous Simindibi to Basor and Dain area, was still out of communication.
“If they reach the beach they should let us know their location so they can be picked up,” he said.
Usino Bundi will start counting tomorrow after awaiting boxes from a remote location in Foroko, in the Gama local level government.
Counting for regional boxes will be held at the Holy Spirit hall and Madang Open at Paramed Hall.
As a gesture of goodwill, the provincial election steering committee decided to pay an extra five days of allowances to all polling officials who have taken part so far.
Police are supposed to receive K200 per day.