UN urges authorities to act

THE United Nations (UN) has urged authorities, including police, to ensure perpetrators and instigators of violence during the General Election 2022 (GE22) are prosecuted.
The call was made following the recent escalation of election-related violence across the Highlands which included deaths, assault, rape and the extensive destruction of property and infrastructure.
Acting UN resident coordinator Dirk Wagener said he was concerned about the violence in the country.
“This unmitigated violence shows utter disregard for human rights, the rule of law,” he said. The UN, in a statement, said families in many districts were living in fear due to violence in their communities, an estimated 3,000 people in Enga have fled their homes.
Expressing shock at the escalating violence and the developing humanitarian situation, Wagener urged all parties to immediately cease all fighting and called on authorities to fully investigate all alleged killings, assaults, and violence with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“I wish to underline that the State of Papua New Guinea has a responsibility to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of all persons and property, particularly its most vulnerable members of society,” he said.
“This responsibility extends to facilitating safe, unimpeded, and sustained humanitarian access to those affected by this violence.”

Keep it moving: Pomaleu

Getting ready … A counting official preparing to write counting results at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands. Provincial election manager Steven Gore Kaupa said that circulating incorrect progressive results during counting must be avoided to create unnecessary confusion to the public. He was responding to candidate complaints over the different figures being shared. He said it was important that the public was informed timely and accurately. – Nationalpic by VICKY BAUNKE

Secretary to the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council Ivan Pomaleu, has again called for counting across the country to be speeded up.
Pomaleu, who is also the chairman of the Interdepartmental Election Committee, made this call after he was briefed by Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai on the current General Election 2022 (GE22).
“I have noted that the country has now moved into counting,” he said.
“The writs must be returned by July 29.
“This is where the clock stops.
“I cannot express seriously enough the need for writs to be returned by this Friday.” Pomaleu also noted that a number of provinces were now well into their counting phases and urged them to conclude the process quickly.
He also called for all stakeholders involved in the process to make sure that counting progressed uninterrupted.
He again called on the Electoral Commissioner and his officers to increase the shifts and undertake multiple local level government counting.
He added: “I want to assure election workers that their allowances have been released to the Electoral Commission and they will be paid for their services, if not already.
“Any disruptions due to unpaid allowances is unacceptable.”