Security threat

By GLORIA BAUAI
SECURITY has been tightened in Madang after election officials and their families came under threat as counting for the regional and six open seats reaches the final stages.
Election Manager Sponsa Navi said threats were made daily to election officials and their families.
“We are threatened daily and are concerned about the safety of our families and ourselves,” he said.
He confirmed that the home of an assistant returning officer in Transgogol was burnt down, while his wife and family members were assaulted. The government vehicle they were using was damaged.
He also accused the candidates of breaching rules by going to counting venues and trying to stop the counting based on various allegations.
In the race for the Governor’s seat as at 4.40pm yesterday, Ramsey Pariwa was leading with 48,284 votes, followed by Jerry Singirok on 29,407, and Peter Yama on 20,209.
Northern Command’s commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Peter Guiness said police officers too had been under threat, including Madang’s police commander Mazuc Rubiang and a group of policemen on Sunday night at the Madang Country Club.
“The confrontation arose when the PPC and policemen wanted to search (Madang Governor) Peter Yama’s vehicle which was leading a convoy of 10 vehicles,” he said.
“No physical harm was inflicted on the PPC but words were exchanged.”
He said the police hierarchy was accused of “undue influence” which would affect Yama’s chances of being re-elected as governor.
ACP Guiness said any complaints against the police should be brought to the attention of the Investigative Taskforce so that they could be investigated.
PPC Rubiang said security had been tightened in Madang, with roadblocks at every intersection to town which started on Sunday.
There is a restricted movement of people at night.
But Yama denied that he and his supporters had been issuing threats of violence and causing disruptions to counting in the province.
“This is totally wrong and insane,” he said.
He was at the Jomba Police station in Madang yesterday to petition the election manager and the provincial police commander on the lack of transparency in the conduct of the general election.
“We have plenty evidence to believe that the GE22 for Madang has been compromised by the election officials and police,” he said.
He alleged that evidence at hand had police personnel including high ranking officials in the command defaming his reputation as a candidate, and alleged that they were colluding with election officials to rig the election.
“Also in my years running in election, ballot papers coming into the province must be made known to the candidates and exactly how many for both Open and Regional for each district,” he said.
“This year it did not happen even though we the candidates have the right to know.
“I can say this GE22 is not properly run but I don’t blame Madang alone.
“I know the Electoral Commission was not properly funded to ensure a free and fair election.”