Over 100 ballot boxes disputed

By PETER WARI
CANDIDATES for the Southern Highlands provincial seat want the Electoral Commission (EC) to put aside about 100 disputed ballot boxes and go ahead with counting.
They also want EC to appoint a new election manager replacing Alwin Jimmy, who spoke about resigning a week ago.
In a media conference yesterday, Independent candidate Peter Nupiri welcomed the decision by Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai for the extension of the counting to proceed.
He said counting was still suspended and no updates were given for the progressive tally.
“The problem in the counting delay was due to failure by the Mendi electoral office for the late or slow construction of the counting centre, no central tally room and non-payment of polling and counting officials’ allowances that resulted in the suspension of counting several times,” he said.
Nupiri said more than 100 disputed ballot boxes that were stored in a container near the Mendi Police Station were not for a particular electorate but all four (Imbonggu, Nipa-Kutubu, Ialibu-Pangia and Mendi-Munihu) electorates.
He said supporters of incumbent Governor William Powi alleged that the disputed boxes were from the Nipa-Kutubu electorate where Powi got his votes from and the boxes were alleged to be tempered and stored away.
“The boxes that went through scrutiny and were disputed should not be readmitted for counting, counting for other boxes should continue and any discrepancies should be brought forward to the Court of Disputed of Returns after the declaration,” Nupiri said.
“Candidates have controlled their supporters, there is no violence in Mendi and any decision by EC to have the disputed boxes counted will be opposed by us (candidates),” he said.
Another independent candidate Benard Kaku said they had evidence (video footages and pictures) of some supporters of candidates signing ballot papers in the night at some polling areas and that would be brought forward to EC.
“We are not desperately putting aside or disputing the boxes belonging to William Powi as alleged by his supporters, we want normal procedure and electoral process to be adhered to and counting to proceed without disturbances,” Kaku said.
Powi said EC had made it clear that no ballot boxes would be disputed at counting and any dispute would come from his office.