Polling in the two districts of Gulf Province of Kerema and Kikori is progressing well according to the Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Jeffrey Lemb.
He said out of the nine Local Level Governments (LLGS), they spent the last three days in Kerema Urban and have completed polling there. They have now moved to West Kerema and Kerema Central. Lakekamu LLG is also covered and polling is in progress now.
Kotidanga and Kaintiba LLGS are remote places and he says they are waiting for airlift from the PNG Electoral Commission to insert the polling teams and security personnel. He said all the security personnel have been identified to escort ballot boxes and materials up to these remote places that are accessible by air alone.
Meanwhile, in Kikori Baimuru all the ballot boxes were escorted on Saturday morning. Polling is expected to be conducted today (Monday 11 July 2022).
Mr Lamb said the Gulf Province has had a peaceful and quiet election so far with no major incidents. He said the only complaints which are also being raised around the country are names missing from the common roll. Many eligible voters have missed out on casting their vote and not exercising their constitutional rights.
Mr Lemb said this prompted a meeting last Friday with the Gulf Provincial Election Steering committee where the Election Manager allowed for the use of the 2017 common roll because of the numerous complaints received from the voters at the polling booths.
Mr Lemb said, “The 2017 common roll was given to us in soft copies so Electoral Commission officials in Kerema are working overtime now to print all the 2017 common roll to go to all the polling booths.
“This will be used as a supplementary roll with the 2022 common roll if people don’t find their names on the 2022 roll, then they can check the 2017 common roll.”
Mr Lemb is confident his 50 regular policemen, extra security forces sent to beef up men power on the ground consisting of 20 NCD contingent, seven members of the Mobile Squad, 12 members of the Water Police, 31 personnel from the PNG Correctional Services and 200 Police Reservists will be able to assist him deliver a safe, fair and free 2022 National General Election.