O’Neill: Provide proof of fake ballot papers

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has told the Opposition to submit all evidence of fake ballot papers to police to investigate and prosecute.
Opposition leader Belden Namah said in Parliament on Tuesday that 280,000 generic ballot papers had been used in the last election and called for a Commission of Inquiry into the elections.
O’Neill told Parliament yesterday it was a very serious allegation and urged the Opposition to take the matter to police.
O’Neill also cleared concerns raised over the tenure of Andrew Trawen, stating that the Electoral Commissioner would continue to serve until his term expired even though he had reached the retirement age of 60.
He said that Trawen was appointed to continue as the commissioner in view of this year’s election.
He said that it was important that Trawen be given due respect and dignity as a senior public servant who had served a long time.
“He does not need to be thrown out without considering his tremendous effort and time in running the office and the elections,” O’Neill said.
“I will not remove him until he completes furnishing the 2012 elections report and until he completes his term next year.”