Police probe Gulf claims

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Wednesday July 4th, 2012

POLICE personnel deployed for the general elections in Gulf province are investigating allegations of candidates going around spreading rumours using the names of other candidates.
Police inspectors Jacob Ivaroa and Andrew Marai were responding to a newspaper report on Monday questioning the arrival of a police contingent from Port Moresby in Kerema last weekend.
The report had quoted regional candidate Ruben Giusu, who had since denied raising the concerns in the media.
“We have established that the newspaper report was done at the Aviat Club in Port Moresby on Sunday night between a regional candidate and a newspaper reporter. Both are being investigated and will be charged with spreading false rumours,” Ivaroa, who is in charge of elections operations in the Western end of Gulf, said last night.
Marai is responsible for the highlands sections of Gulf.
Both inspectors report to Chief Supt Norman Kambo, who is overseeing the elections in Gulf province.
Ivaroa said police personnel currently on election duties in Gulf were authorised by Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga and had been paid their allowances.
“With police backing, polling in most parts of the province had gone smoothly.
“There is law and order in Kerema and elsewhere.
“We will not allow people to spread rumours to spoil the good work of police on the ground,” Ivaroa said.