Uphold democracy in election, says judge

National

By HEZRON KISING
PAPUA New Guinea is a democratic country and its laws place great emphasis on a free and fair election so any corrupt and improper practice in the polls is unlawful, with those found guilty be punished appropriately,” a judge said yesterday.
His reminder came as he jailed a man for two years for interference in election.
Lae National Court acting Judge John Numapo sentenced Morris Kate, 43, father of seven from Chuave in Chimbu, and then suspended it, ordering him to pay a K1,000 fine and be on good behaviour under strict conditions for 12 months.
The court heard that on June 29, 2017 between 6pm and 7pm the accused was at a polling station at Bubia Primary School at 10-Mile along the Okuk National Highlands Highway outside Lae.
He was in the company of others. They argued with some voters and entered the polling station, assaulting a polling clerk and polling officials. The court was told that two policemen, Tobias Tos and Roger Itagau, who were guarding the polling station, intervened to stop the accused and his accomplices. However, they were outnumbered and were also assaulted.