Prime Minister (PM) James Marape has made an urgent appeal to the Papuan New Guinea Electoral Commission (PNGEC) to make sure the counting process is completed in time before the new deadline for the Return of Writs and the formation of a new government. Mr. Marape, in a press conference over the weekend, said with over 50 more seats yet to be declared, time is not on the PNGEC’s side. He said the Commission must not allow for any further delays to counting and declarations, allegedly caused by scrutineers and their candidates in most of the counting centers in the…
Author: Emmanuel MAIPE
The member elect for the Moresby South electorate (South side), Justin Tkatchenko, strolled into the counting venue at the Rita Flynn courts this afternoon flanked by Prime Minster James Marape and incumbent National Capital District (NCD) Governor Powes Parkop, to be officially declared by the Returning Officer (RO) Mr. Tau Toea, after his victory in this year’s election. Upon signing the Election Writ with the RO, Mr. Tkatchenko announced that he will continue to work with his team to further develop Moresby South for the benefit of his people, now that he has the mandate of his people to serve…
The member elect for the Moresby South electorate, Justin Tkatchenko strolled into the Moresby South counting venue at the Rita Flynn courts this afternoon to be officially declared by the Returning Officer Mr. Tau Toea, after his victory in this year’s election. After quality check, and elimination, the absolute majority was at 23, 310. The Returning Officer Mr Tau Toea said from this it was clear that one candidate surpassed the absolute majority and that was Justin who polled 28, 111. The member-elect officially signed the Writ with the Returning Officer, marking his re-election as member of Moresby South.
Sitting PM James Marape is urging all social media users to refrain from causing unnecessary panic and fear amongst the public following incidents of riots in Port Moresby. In a press conference this afternoon in NCD, Marape stressed that situations in the city came about because of such. He said the incident on Sunday at SJG stadium didn’t see anyone killed, and two people received injuries. Marape added that the situation was blown out of proportion by social media causing fear, and this further incited the situation this morning where opportunists took advantage to go on rampage in parts of…
Security in the Nation’s Capital city of Port Moresby has been beefed up this afternoon with support from the Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) contingent from the First Royal Pacific Island Regiment (1RPIR) based at the Taurama Barracks following unrests in the city today caused by opportunists. National Capital District (NCD) and Central Province Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Anthony Wagambie Jnr, confirmed the support from the defence force in a press conference this afternoon. He said they will assist police with security for the counting venues following the rampage today by opportunists in parts of the city.…
Chaos in Port Moresby city as videos and images of armed men, believed to be opportunists, taking advantage of the election-related incident yesterday, went on a rampage causing destruction in almost every part of the Nation’s capital. Police reports say the fighting was is in areas like Gordons, Erima, Waigani, Hohola, Tokarara, Koki, 2 Mile, Rainbow, and Gerehu to name a few between 10 until 11:30 am. Many schools in the city are also closed at this time while others that were open have advised parents for earlier pickups and drop-offs for today. Police sources say they are stretched thin…
Counting for the newly created Kairuku open seat has now been further delayed after the counting officials did not receive a response from the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission yet on their demands for their overdue allowances to be paid to them. The Returning Officer (RO), Mr. Henry Oa, said they cannot continue now because the counting teams still stand by their demand; therefore, they have decided to move counting to Monday 25th July. “We already spoke with an administrative officer for the PNG electoral commission, and he has taken the demands back to the headquarters,” said the RO. He said…
There are two ballot boxes left to be counted for the Kairuku Open seat, but these two boxes might not be counted if the counting officials are not paid their allowances. The officials claim they have not been paid since day one of counting at the Murray Barracks in Port Moresby almost two weeks ago, and are now demanding the Returning Officer to meet with them today to resolve their grievances before they can continue with counting to complete the last two boxes. The officials mostly come from the remote and distant parts of the electorate and had to hire…
Four candidates contesting the Koroba Kupiago Open Seat in the Hela province are now calling on the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Simon Siani, to order the cancelation of 12 ballot boxes that are currently in dispute. According to one of the candidates Mr. Jonathan Aiene, the ballot boxes for the Kupiago basin were tempered with allegedly by the supporters of the incumbent member, and that denied the democratic process and the rights for the people to cast their votes for a leader of their choosing. Mr. Aiene claimed that the boxes arrived at the polling site on July…
Polling will still continue for some electorates in the East Sepik province due to the late insertion of polling teams due to logistical problems faced with the transportation of teams. According to the Provincial Election Manager Mr. James Piapia, the Ambunti-Dreikikier and Angoram districts still have a couple of wards to go to the polls because the polling teams were unable to get into some areas of the district sooner due to issues with fuel for transportation. Apart from this, he said other districts like Yangoru Sausia, Maprik, Wewak and Wosera Gawi have wrapped up polling and should progress onto counting this…