Police waiting for direction to transport ballot boxes for recount

POLICE are waiting for the Electoral Commissioner to give directions when to move ballot boxes for the Chimbu provincial seat to Goroka for judicial recount.
Eastern end divisional Commander Nema Mondia said yesterday that high tension in Kundiawa town had declined and police were ready to escort the boxes to Goroko for the recount.
Mondia, who is also the assistant commissioner of police, said people were moving freely around in the town, unlike in the past few weeks when tension was high after the court ordered for a judicial recount.
He commended the policemen for their tireless efforts to bring the tension down and restore order in Kundiawa.
Mondia appealed to the people and supporters to maintain peace and respect the court order for the recount.
“Look after whatever services that you have in the province, they are there for you and you must respect their presence,” he said.
He said that police needed cooperation from the people and leaders to maintain law and order in the province.
Hundreds of supporters protested the court’s ruling on the recount.
The National Court earlier ordered counting for the governor’s seat to be conducted outside the province, citing security fears.
Sinasina-Yongomugl MP Kerenga Kua also called on the Electoral Commissioner earlier to reconsider his decision to relocate the counting venue.