Supplementary elections to be held: Sinai

THERE will be a supplementary election held in Kabwum and Markham, Morobe following the burning of ballot papers there, says Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai.
“We have seen people getting mad at the polling place and for the counting, this is the first time in election history,” he said.
“Obviously the writs have to be withdrawn and we’ll have supplementary elections.
“To make it worse, it happened in a coastal province where we weren’t expecting it.
“That’s a different matter altogether.”
Sinai was referring to the burning of ballot papers and other properties in Markham and Kabwum on July 16 and 18 respectively by supporters of candidates.
Sinai said such criminal acts were unheard of and stressed that it was why an election advisory committee was needed to make assessments on such incidents and find solutions.
He discussed with Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae last week the idea of setting up an election advisory committee, as provided under section 96C of the Electoral Law, to provide advice to the Electoral Commission.
The committee would be made up of the Chief Ombudsman or his nominee, a nominee from Transparency International PNG and one nominated by Sinai who is a retired judge.