Tondop: Police ready for recount

POLICE are ready for the recounting of the Kandep Open seat ballot papers as ordered by the Supreme Court following a petition by former MP Don Polye.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Highlands eastern end Chief Supt Joseph Tondop said the recount in Kundiawa would be conducted under tight security.
The seat was won by Alfred Manase when he beat then MP Polye in the 2017 national general election.
ACP Tondop said container containing the ballot papers would be opened at the Kundiawa Police Station in the presence of lawyers representing Manase, Polye and the Electoral Commission, court officials, scrutineers and police.
He said police understood the role of the commission in conducting elections and would make sure that the recount was peaceful and trouble-free.
ACP Tondop called on police officers and election officials from Enga to stay out of the recount process as they are not authorised to be in Kundiawa.
“I thank the residents and leadership and clans and tribes surrounding Wabag town for displaying maturity and respecting the court ruling for the recount of Kandep ballots to go ahead in Kundiawa as a neutral location,” he said.
“The container containing the ballot papers is kept at the back of the Kundiawa Police Station.”
It is guarded by Chimbu police.
“There are no reported cases of resistance by individuals or groups in Wabag or along the highway to Kundiawa when the boxes were brought down,” ACP Tondop said.
“Citizens in Wabag and along the highway behaved well.
“I believe that a peaceful counting will take place.”