No change to polling days: Sinai

By REBECCA KUKU
THERE will not be a reduction in the number of campaigning and polling days for this year’s general election (GE22), Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai says.
“The campaign period will run for eight weeks, from May 12 to July 9. Polling will be for two weeks, from July 9 to 22,” he said.
“I will not rob time from the candidates by shortening the campaign period nor will I rob time from the people to cast their ballots.
“We will speed up the counting process to meet the deadline on July 29.” He said election candidates and the people should not worry as the two-week delay in the issuance of election writs would not affect the number of days for campaigning and casting of ballots.
“We have come up with a strategy to ensure that we complete the election on time and have the writs returned on July 29,” he said.
Sinai said although the counting of ballots was set for July 23 to July 29, “counting and polling will run simultaneously”.
“So we will speed up the counting process,” he said.
“Counting will be carried out in counting centres immediately after the last ballot is cast for any seat.
“So we will appoint counting officials to travel with polling teams to all polling sites.
“They will then head straight for the counting centres to count the ballots.”

CCTV to be used to monitor counting

CLOSED-circuit television (CCTV) will be used to monitor counting at the allocated centres, says Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai.
Sinai said the counting process would be faster to meet the July 29 deadline for the return of the writs.
“Counting will begin right after polling is completed,” he said.
“Counting will begin by local level governments with three boxes each.
“There will be CCTVs in all counting centres to ensure transparency.”
Meanwhile, the seven provinces in the Highlands, plus the National Capital District and Morobe will have one-day polling only.
Sinai said this was because of the security issues experienced in past elections.
The Highlands provinces and Morobe have been divided into zones.
Zone one: Morobe, Eastern Highlands and Chimbu. Zone two: Jiwaka and Western Highlands. Zone three: Enga, Southern Highlands and Hela.
“The one day polling will not all happen on the same day, but will be done in zones,” Sinai said.
“One day polling in zone one, then the teams move to zone two the next day, then move to zone three.”

Manning: Election ops to proceed as planned

POLICE Commissioner David Manning has assured senior officers that the security operations for the general election will proceed as planned.
During a general election security operation meeting in Port Moresby last week, he was briefed by provincial commanders on their preparations.
Manning said there was no room for complacency.
“Election operations are not a new thing to most of us and I’m sure your plans are based on past operational experiences and imminent threat assessments in your respective commands,” he said.
Manning said at times when the constabulary lacked resources, commanders must use their experience and leadership to deliver a free, fair and safe election environment.
“You have been bestowed this position based on your leadership and experience and I have no doubt each of you will demonstrate those qualities during this election period,” he said.
Manning said they were now moving from the planning to the operation mode.
“The election security operations will proceed as planned with no retreat,” he said.
Manning said the security forces would deliver the election security operations regardless of resource issues or changes to the election dates.
The two-day conference was attended by Manning, assistant police commissioners, deputy commissioner operations Anton Billie and officers from the Defence Force and Correctional Services.
Manning also appealed to everyone to be on their best behaviour during the election period.
“Let us all work together to ensure a free, fair and safe election so that we can safely elect our leaders for the 11th Parliament,” he said.
“We need the 11 million-plus Papua New Guineans to be disciplined to exercise our democratic rights (to elect MPs).”
Manning urged candidates to tell their supporters to avoid any violence during the campaign period and polling.

Police halt probe into MPs fraud cases during poll

FRAUD-related cases filed against MPs have been put on hold until after the general election, according to the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate.
Acting director Chief Inspector Pare Kuiap said cases were often filed by the MPs themselves against each.
“For this year, all cases have been put on hold, even new cases,” he said. “This is to allow everyone an equal opportunity to contest the election.
“We are also putting the cases on hold because police manpower would be used for election security operations.
“Currently, we only have about 30 who will all be deployed.
“I will be the only one remaining in the office to oversee work during the election period,” Kuiap said.
“The 500 fraud cases were from 2021.
“The first quarter of 2022 (recorded) 100 fraud cases.”
Kuiap said the annual funding for the investigation of fraud cases was K150,000 “which insufficient”.
“Funding is one of the major challenges for the fraud squad,” he said.
“It makes it difficult for detectives to travel to locations to do the ground work.
“The K150,000 can be used only for high-profile investigations. Our detectives need to do physical inspection on the site to ensure sufficient evidence is provided for arrest to be made but funding seems to be a hindrance,” Kuiap said.