Pangu toppled in Maprik

By CHARLES MOI
PANGU Pati’s Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon was toppled by People’s National Congress Party’s Gabriel Lenny Kapris in Maprik.
Simon was edged to runner-up after Kapris polled 16,657 votes for more than the absolute majority.
Simon had in General Election 2017 (GE17) retained the seat as a National Alliance candidate when Kapris finished runner-up.
Kapris beat Simon after the 26th exclusion of Hildeanne Wefin (Independent) on Friday.
Twenty-eight candidates contested for Maprik in the General Election 2022 (GE22).
Kapris was born in Maprik on Aug 30, 1963 and has a Bachelor in Engineering degree majoring in mechanical from the University of Technology in Lae.
He was first elected MP in GE02 and retained the seat in GE07 but toppled by Simon in GE12.
Pangu Pati Leader and Prime Minister James Marape said Simon had accepted the loss.
“If one of my key Pangu leaders can lose in the elimination count, it dispels the rumours fuelled by losing candidates that Pangu is carrying out illegal activities,” he said.
Marape said if there was any place to dispute the GE22 results, the court of disputed returns was the place to go, and not by delaying the counting process.
“Scrutineers are there to note discrepancies, and if not addressed in the counting area, then candidates have the right to take this to court (by filing election petitions).
“I appeal to disgruntled candidates and supporters not to engage in acts of arson, or destroy ballots.”

‘Outcomes not people’s wish’

By GYNNIE KERO
FORMER Prime Minister Peter O’Neill stresses that the hijacking of ballot boxes, election rigging and election officials being compromised are not the right processes to select national leaders.
Commenting on how the General Election 2022 (GE22) was being conducted, O’Neill said the outcomes did not represent the wishes of the people.
He urged Police Commissioner David Manning and Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai to be independent in discharging their duties.
“Our democracy is under threat and leaders who are elected properly, according to the wish of the people, need to stand strong to protect our country and people,” O’Neill said.
Prime Minister James Marape in a statement yesterday said that Pangu Party “is not rigging the elections as claimed by disgruntled candidates and supporters”.