Police in Madang have arrested a presiding officer after he was found with unused ballot papers and other election materials during the Madang Urban Local Level Government (MULLG) election.

The officer, who was part of Team 63 at the Tusbab Secondary School counting centre, was caught with ballot butts, ballot papers, and polling journals.

Police and scrutineers had been watching him closely for several days after noticing suspicious behaviour.

The search was carried out by the Madang National Criminal Intelligence and Transnational Crime Unit, leading to his arrest at the Marape Hall counting centre.

Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Robert Baim confirmed the arrest, saying the officer is now held at Jomba Police Station and will be charged under the Election-Related Offences Act.

PPC Baim warned all polling officials to act honestly while carrying out their duties.

“Let me warn the polling officials, do your job with trust.”

“Every eye is on you, so your conduct, movements, and actions are being scrutinized by everyone.”

He reminded the public that “the laws are here to govern all of us.”