NCD sorts out payments

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
COUNTING in the National Capital District is expected to get underway this evening after polling officials were promised to receive their allowances today.
 The electoral commission office in Boroko yesterday was packed as polling officials waited to be paid.
But election manager Cyril Retaw said the payments should be made today at the Boroko police station starting at 8am.
Counting can then start in the evening.
The issue of non-payment of allowances for the officials has held up the counting for NCD which was scheduled for Tuesday.
It was then deferred to today.
Polling officials from the three NCD electorates boycotted counting on Tuesday and demanded that they be paid first.
The allowance will cover risk, training and meals.
The delay of payment was due to final adjustments made to the list of the officials as some workers who had signed the agreement to work during the election did not turn up, especially during polling last week.  
This forced presiding officers to recruit new officers and re-do their lists.
Retaw said counting for NCD should be at Don Bosco (Moresby South), Sir John Guise Sports Complex (NCD regional and Moresby Northeast) and PNG Institute of Public Administration (Moresby Northwest).
The counting period is three weeks.