Polling officer resigns

COUNTING for the Lagaip Supplementary election in Enga was suspended again yesterday following the resignation of the returning officer, Newman Wailyo.
With the return of writ due tomorrow, and three deaths directly linked to the election, Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas called yesterday for a full investigation into the handling of the supplementary election by the electoral commissioner, Simon Sinai.
Wailyo’s resignation letter reads in part: “I have faced relentless intimidation and harassment from political candidates and their supporters involved in the supplementary election. The pressures exerted upon me has been overwhelming has compromised the integrity of the electoral process.
“The recent tragic shootout in Wabag town resulting in the loss of four civilian lives has heightened the risks to my personal safety.
“I have received numerous threats and menacing massages, posing a grave danger to my life.
“Regrettably there is an absence of adequate security guarantees for my safety and that of my family and associates, should I choose to continue my responsibilities as the RO. I am left with no choice but to tender my resignation.”
No comment could be obtained from Sinai yesterday on Wailyo’s resignation and Sir Peter’s statement.
Counting was suspended at 11am after count 33, with 28 boxes remaining. The running total showed Tomait Kapili leading with 23,063 votes followed by Amos Joseph Akem on 8,133.
Sir Peter said what happened could have easily have been prevented had the electoral commissioner not stepped in and made the decision to move the counting venue.
Three persons have been confirmed dead and a soldier injured in clashes with protestors in Wabag over the dispute on counting venue.
Sir Peter said: “I am confident that there were some ulterior motive involved. I am tired of corrupt practices and I demand a full investigation into the conduct of this by-election.
“The elections, especially the polling, went very smoothly.
“We expected some problems, the people really were very peaceful. Two days after the polling was done and apparently, there was a direction from the Electoral Commission to move the counting to Goroka which I and the provincial government objected.
“One of the reasons he used was security issues. There was no security issue in Lagaip or Wabag.
“You should be relying on your people on the ground to give you a recommendation. That includes his provincial election manager, the provincial steering election committee established.
“They were never provided any report for the electoral commissioner to make that decision to take the counting to Goroka.”