Sir Julius: It’s so chaotic

By STAFF REPORTERS
SIR Julius Chan says as the only surviving leader from the Sir Michael Somare era, he has never experienced so much “uncertainty” surrounding a national election than the General Election 2022 (GE22).
After being declared the winner of the New Ireland regional seat and retaining the governor’s seat he first won in 2007, Sir Julius, 82, said: “Democracy is not about killing, fighting, robbing or buying of votes.
“That’s corruption at its worst. I have not experienced an election such as this with so much uncertainties around it.”
Being the “last man standing” from the Somare era, he urged leaders “to have faith in ourselves that we will perform to the best of our abilities”.
“Somare, Sir John Guise, Sir Maori Kiki and those we worked together before, never had opportunities like you people (enjoy today),” he said.
“Sir John Guise never finished high school, and he became deputy prime minister and governor-general.
“He lowered the flag and handed it to Australia. What is right about him is in his heart.
“I was lucky to be with them at that time.
“We have survived 46 years of democracy. There’s no turning back in life. The future depends on you and me.
“Right now, we have to declare honesty, integrity and hard work to take this country forward.
“From here on, things we know to be wrong must be left behind.”
Sir Julius, the leader of the People’s Progressive Party, was also prime minister from 1980-1982, 1994-1997 and 1997 (June 2 to July 22).
He polled 31,717 votes for an absolute majority yesterday.
He is also the first PPP candidate to win a seat for the party in GE22.
The runner-up was Moses Makis (Indigenous Liberation Party) who garnered 16,591 votes, with Nelson Hungrabos (Independent) coming in third with 2,112 votes.
Fourteen candidates contested for the New Ireland regional seat.

Election-related violence subsides, polling starts

ELECTION-related violence in Enga has subsided, allowing for polling in Lagaip and Paiela to start, says provincial police commander acting Supt George Kakas.
Kakas said members of the security task force would be escorting ballot boxes to the polling stations.
“For Lagaip and Paiela, we will (be bringing in) ballot boxes (to allow) people to exercise their constitutional right to cast their votes,” he said.
He said Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai wanted the counting for Enga to be moved to Jiwaka. But Kakas said “we are working against time”.
“We want as much as possible to (complete) this election in the time we have,” Kakas said.
“So we have gone ahead with counting here in Enga and will start with the Wapenamanda Open seat (then) the rest of the seats.
“Laiagam and Paiela will start tomorrow (today) once we complete polling today (yesterday).”
Kakas said there had been reports of ballot boxes being hijacked on social media.
“But we will go ahead and bring them back to Wabag, where the provincial returning officers and returning officers decide which boxes can be counted,” he said.
“The counting venue has already been set up inside the Wabag Primary School.
“We have counting teams on the ground and we are proceeding with counting.
“Hopefully we can complete all these by July 29.”

First sitting of 11th Parliament likely to be on Aug 4, says PM

PRIME Minister James Marape says the first sitting of the 11th Parliament is likely to be on Aug 4, and urged election officials to ensure that the writs are returned as scheduled on July 29.
“I am confident that we will deliver this election on time,” he said.
“The return of writs will be on the July 29 but the first sitting of Parliament will be on Thursday Aug 4 to elect a Speaker,” he said.
“As long as majority of the writs are returned, the few lagging behind can return their writs in the extra five days.”
He said the counting of votes should be done over 24 hours now to ensure everything was completed on time.
Marape urged the provincial governments and administrations to assist wherever they could to ensure counting was completed before July 29.
“Don’t wait for the Electoral Commission,” he said.
“Do what you can to ensure that your province delivers.
“Provide electricity, conduct counting in the local level governments, set up counting groups and security teams to work in shifts and do counting day and night.”
Marape rejected claims that the General Election 2022 (GE22) was the worst in PNG’s history, saying that every election has its fair share of issues.
“For example in 2002, all five Hela seats were declared failed and Hela had to have a by-election in 2003,” he said.
“So every election has its challenges and this (GE22) is no different. Yes, we were pressed for time but I have confidence we will deliver the GE22 successfully.”
Marape also suggested that a parliamentary committee be set up to recommend ways to improve the running of elections in the country.
“This committee will review past elections, including the 2022, 2017, 2012, 2007 elections,” he said.