Sacking of SHP manager slammed

SOUTHERN Highlands businessman and three-time Mendi open political candidate James Hess has slammed the sacking of Southern Highlands election manager Johnson Levi.
Reports from the province said Levi was sacked last Monday. His replacement is David Wakias.
Wakias, a former election manager, was stationed in Minj to administer the Jiwaka region but was sidelined after he was arrested and charged with allegedly misappropriating K500,000 of election funds.
Hess said this sudden change would have a drastic effect on polling in the volatile highlands province.
He said with weeks left before the issue of writs on May 18, it was important that Levi be allowed to continue with the work that he had started.
“Southern Highlands is one of the most populated provinces in the country and, with Levi’s geographical knowledge of its rugged terrains and mountains, and his understanding of the people and their cultures, Levi will ensure election in the province covers as many people as possible.”
He said the inflated roll and poor updating reasons did not warrant the dismissal of Levi.
“Politics has been used in this instance to sideline a very competent polling official; someone who has developed his skills and knowledge of Southern Highlands and its people over many years of electoral work.
“His sacking is uncalled for.”
Hess said Levi was a hard worker who had made his way up the Electoral Commission’s rank and file.
“He knows his job well and has proven that when he was promoted from a returning officer in the 2007 general election to the provincial election manager.
“Levi is a hard worker and a good election official. He must be left to do complete the tasks assigned to him before the writs are issued.
“He must be allowed to conduct the election and to see it through to the end when the writs are returned,” Hess said.