Wewak MP alleges nepotism in poll office

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Monday 23rd January 2012

By JEFFREY ELAPA
CONCERNS have been raised in Parliament about the performance of the Electoral Commission in preparing for the national election.
In particular, the 2012 electoral roll has been reported to be incomplete and seriously flawed.
There are also allegations of nepotism in the appointments of cronies and people from one ethnic groups to take charge of election throughout the country.
The commission has also been accused of not doing enough to address early campaigning.
Member for Wewak Dr Moses Manwau said there was a big problem within the commission which needed to be addressed.
Manwau, who came to Parliament after a four-year court battle, said the commission had conducted the 2007 election poorly with more than 55 court of disputed returns, of which 10 were successful including his seat.
He did not want to see a repetition of the 2007 election this year and urged the government to rectify the problems before the polls. 
Western Governor Dr Bod Danaya claimed that his name was missing from the 2012 electoral roll – even after checking three different lists.
He said it was a big issue because names of people had been deleted from village or council wards.
He urged the government to “clean up” the commission before the election.
Koroba Kopiago MP John Kekeno said electoral rolls in his electorate had been inflated while in others, names had been omitted.
Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah said it was a disgrace to see an incomplete electoral roll with names of voters missing.
He said the electoral commission had failed the people of PNG.
He said electoral commissioner Andrew Trawen had also failed the people by appointing Sepiks to be election managers.
Namah revealed that the national census was incomplete and therefore the head count was incorrect based on guesswork and assumptions.