O’Neill retains seat
IALIBU-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill has polled 37,501 votes to surpass the absolute majority, and retain the seat he first won in 2002.
He yesterday thanked his supporters for their commitment to democracy.
“There has been a lot of incentives given to the voters of Ialibu-Pangia to switch allegiance from myself to others,” he said.
“I want to thank the people for their steadfast commitment to the electoral process.”
O’Neill said it would be his fifth term in Parliament and “could not be more humbled or happier”.
“I am proof that out of the greatest adversity and difficulties, goodness will prevail,” he said.
“I am not perfect. I have erred, I have fallen, and it was not always easy to get back up and keep going.
“But I did as I genuinely believe that there is nothing better to do than represent my people of Ialibu-Pangia.”
He said the General Election 2022 was a concern for PNG.
“We are genuinely at a loss to explain the magnitude of election fraud, and the destruction of life and property,” he said.
“We must be hopeful and continue to believe in democracy even if it feels like it is ebbing away from us. (We must) stay strong.
“I want to thank those who have helped me to this point and make it clear that there will be no celebration until we form Government.
“Only then will we have something to be truly joyful about. Lastly, my thanks to God who has been with me for guidance and continues to be my greatest inspiration.”
Member-elect vows to address law, order
MEMBER-ELECT for Koroba-Lake Kopiago William Bando plans to address lawlessness in the electorate as a priority.
The former Hela administrator was declared the winner of the seat after polling 36,587 votes to beat People National Congress party’s P Petrus Thomas who came third on 16,968 votes.
Pangu Pati candidate Boby Yubi was second on 17,568 votes.
Bando was declared the winner by Returning Officer Joseph Kaupa at Andaya Oval around 11am yesterday.
Bando, from Koroba station in Hela, assured the people that he would complete the projects started by his predecessor, especially in Lake Kopiago.
“I thank the 36,587 voters for believing in me,” he said.
“I hope to do my best (for the voters). I want to complete projects started by former MP (Thomas).
“I was administrator for 10 years before my contract expired in 2019 and I left (Hela).
“People wanted me to return, so I came back to contest.”
Bando said lawlessness “is an attitude thing”.
“People can change their mindset overtime. My priority is to address law and order issues.”
Ialibu-Pangia will respect election process, official says
By REBECCA KUKU
THE Ialibu-Pangia will respect the election processes and abide by the laws, says district administrator Samson Wereh.
He said the people of Ialibu-Pangia were peace-loving.
They only wanted to see the election conducted freely, fairly and without any violence.
He was commenting on the complaint lodged with police by candidate Stanley Liria on the 10 ballot boxes from the Kuare local level government in Ialibu.
Police Commissioner David Manning raised the complaint with Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai in a letter dated July 17, saying the matter was being investigated by police.
He urged Sinai not to accept the ballot boxes in question, sparking outrage from MP Peter O’Neill who advised Manning not to interfere in the election process for the Ialibu-Pangia seat.
Wereh said the Ialibu-Pangia seat candidates and their supporters had been well behaved.
“The Ialibu-Pangia district has always maintained its good name during elections,” hesaid.
“We are a model electorate and have never had any issues during elections.
“I call on all candidates, their supporters and people to continue respecting the process and abiding by the electoral laws.
“Our sitting MP, Peter O’Neill, has already made a formal statement. So let the political leaders deal with this through the proper channel,” he said.