Markham five granted K2,000 bail

By MALIKAI BALANDU
FIVE men facing five charges related to the burning of ballot papers in Markham on July 16, have been granted bail at K2,000 each, with the court imposing strict conditions on them.
Lae Committal Court Magistrate Pious Tapil also ordered that the guarantors for each man should pay K250.
The charges are for wilful damage of property, arson, malicious damage, unlawful damage, and rioting.
The five are Paul Kasi, 52, from Markham’s Intuap village in Morobe, James Samuel, 37, from Obura-Wonenara’s Andara village in Eastern Highlands, Gideon Bampung, 23, Joseph Bampung, 25, and Philemon Rueben Iria, 23, all from Markham’s Bagaboang village in Morobe.
It was their second bail application.
Police alleged that the five burned ballot papers and boxes, and damaged infrastructure belonging to the Markham district in Morobe.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Vincent Suakai objected to the proposed bail fee of K500, saying the offences were serious, and asked the court to increase the amount.
Magistrate Tapil agreed and set it at K2,000 each.
As bail conditions, he told the five men not to interfere with State witnesses, not to leave Morobe; report to police prosecutors every two weeks starting on Aug 23, appear in court on mention dates and, appear on dates set previously by the district court.
Police alleged that the five men were involved in a riot which resulted in the destruction of election materials, and damage to properties at Mutzing station on July 16.
The five allegedly broke open a 20-foot container which contained ballot boxes and papers, then set them on fire.
They also allegedly damaged a tractor valued at K220,000, a vehicle, properties and machinery valued at more than K300,000 belonging to the Markham district services.

Outstanding issues delay counting: Official

Disorder … Counting for the Southern Highlands regional seat in Mendi was suspended this week because of the slow rate in the counting because of the failure to establish a central tally room and updating the figures. After complaints raised by candidates, the tally centre was finally established on the ground floor of the Agiru Centre. Officers were busy with the tallies for the five electorates of Ialibu-Pangia, Imbonggu, Kagua-Erave, Mendi, and Nipa Kutubu. Last week, Police Commissioner David Manning warned candidates in Mendi to control their supporters following an incident in Mendi last week. – Nationalpic by PETER WARI

OUTSTANDING issues have been delaying counting for the National Capital District governor’s seat, says assistant provincial returning officer Xavier Wablasu.
He said he was waiting for more scrutineers to arrive before they could continue counting the last 17 boxes from Moresby North-West’s Ward 11, and the disputed boxes from Moresby South and Moresby North-East.
“I need at least eight or nine scrutineers from the leading five candidates to continue because we’re supposed to be counting the disputed boxes right now, then start with the quality checks and on to elimination,” he said.
“The night shift stopped counting last night (Wednesday because of ongoing issues.
“They had eight stations last night but they didn’t count.”
There are eight stations set up inside Rita Flynn sports complex, with six scrutineers per candidate allowed in.
Wablasu remains hopeful that counting will be completed today.
A counting official who asked not to be identified said he had just returned from the bank with the bank statements of the 38 still waiting to be paid.
Wablasu acknowledged the experience of Election Manager Kila Ralai saying all issues coming up were not his fault.

Police begin probe in Markham election-related violence

POLICE have started their investigation into an election-related incident in Markham, Morobe on July 16 in which ballot papers were burnt and government properties damaged.
Morobe police commander Superintendent Jacob Singura said they would also be investigating a similar incident in Markham district on July 17.
“When the Markham investigation is completed, we will be sending a team to Kabwum to investigate the incident there on July 17,”he said.
The incidents occurred during the counting of votes.
Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai this week declared as winners of the two seats the candidates in the lead when counting was suspended – Koni Iguan in Markham and Patrick Basa in Kabwum.
He said to conduct supplementary elections or by-elections for the two seats would mean that the EC was “surrendering its powers and authority to criminal elements to disturb the counting process at any time”.
In Markham, police said supporters who realised that their candidates were doing badly started a riot which led to people damaging ballot papers and government properties at Mutzing station.
The incident at Kabwum the very next day was similar, forcing counting to be stopped, he said.
“With declarations done, people might not be happy with the EC’s decision.
“Police will not hesitate to arrest and charge anyone engaging in unlawful acts.”
Singura said another incident at Sialum in the Tewai-Siassi district, Morobe, would be investigated
“But before sending (police) teams to Kabwum and Sialum, we have to secure funding first,” he said.
Meanwhile Morobe rural police commander Chief Insp John Daviaga said police in Wau had identified a candidate of the Wau-Waria seat instigating problems recently.