Nablu: Sir Bob ineligible

By ELLEN TIAMU
A MOROBE and Ahi stalwart is opposing Sir Bob Sinclair’s decision to contest the Huon Gulf seat in the upcoming election in June saying he has not resided in the electorate for six months.
Benson Nablu said although Sir Bob had businesses in the area, the law covering who could or could not contest clearly indicated that someone had to be born in the electorate or had lived there for a period of six months or more.
Nablu said although the longtime Lae resident and businessman may have standing in Lae and the Morobe province, he did not own a home in Huon Gulf and so did not qualify to run for the seat.
Sir Bob made known his intention to run for the seat as a New Generation Party candidate at the party’s convention in Lae at the weekend.
Meanwhile, a staunch supporter of Sir Bob said the businessman was an icon in the Morobe province and was qualified to contest any of the four electorates in the provinces if he chooses to.
The man, who asked to remain anonymous, was referring to Nawaeb, Huon Gulf and Lae Open electorates as well as the regional seat.
The supporter said the businessman had spent most of his lifetime in the province and had residences in all four constituencies.
“People should check their facts first before going to the media to publish such nonsense.”
Electoral Commission officials in Port Moresby said Sir Bob was at the  office in the city yesterday to check on the validity of his status as a candidate for Huon Gulf.