Sir J casts vote in Himau, NIP
New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan, Lady Stella Chan and Mining Minister Byron Chan casting their votes today at Himau Village, Namatanai New Ireland Province.
Polling at Namatanai have remained peaceful throughout the day with no major incidents being reported.
Final Jiwaka election awareness
The Jiwaka Provincial Education office has appealed to all the people in the province not to cause any disturbance during the polling and counting period.
While police in the province also appealed to the youths to allow women and disable people to cast their votes freely.
Jiwaka Provincial Education Advisor Erwin Us and Provincial Police commander Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop said in a statement during the provincial election and educational awareness today that things were looking good and that this was the first peaceful election.
Supt Tondop initiated the provincial election and educational awareness for the public to inform them to take measures and corporate with the electoral commission for a free, fair and safe election.
The aim of the provincial election and educational awareness is to help the electoral commission for a free, fair and safe election in the province.
This is the second national election for Jiwaka Province after it was separated from Western Highlands Province.
EHP Polling Delayed
All polling in Eastern Highlands Province will not commence today due to unforeseen circumstances that will be addressed by Electoral Commission officials today.
A poor start at Daulo for reasons yet to be explained has resulted in polling not commencing as per scheduled.
More on this story as it develops
New Ireland polls in 338 sites
BY NOAH KAGAI
Three hundred and thirty-eight polling locations have been confirmed for voters to cast their votes in New Ireland Province.
Central New Ireland LLG tops the polling sites with 78 while Lavongai LLG approaching second with 58 sites. The other LLGs with their authorised sites are; Tikana 57, Namatanai 32, Konoagil 24, Nimamar 23, Murat 16, Tanir 15 and Matalai 11. The province will endure ten days for polling and immediately go into the counting session.
Most of the polling officials in the Kavieng and Namatanai districts for LLGs have prepared well in advance with all their polling materials and logistics prior to the commencement of polling on Monday.
Last Thursday, polling materials were moved out of the Kavieng police station and transported to Namatanai under heavy security escorts. On Friday, polling materials for the Kavieng district were sorted out in the presence of the Acting Election Manager, Provincial Returning Officer and Provincial Police Commander and all officials engaged in the polling.
Inspector Gabriel Ndrihin said that all the polling official have all moved out to their locations by Sunday in preparations for the first day of polling.
Fr.Rouche calls on people not to sell their votes
BY TONY SII
Your vote is very personal and sacred and should not be sold to candidates.
This was the message Father Victor Rouche who is the Secretary General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands wants the people to seriously consider as they take to the polls to determine the leaders of their choice.
People told to vote wisely
By KEVIN TEME
People of Kagua-Erave in Southern Highlands Province have been urged to vote wisely when the polling begins this month.
A ward councilor in the Kuare-Karanda LLG Fred Yamu made this call just few days away before the polling takes place in their respective local level government wards.
“We have never seen any tangible benefits and services has not reached our village and LLG since independence,” Yamu said.“Our people has suffered long enough and its time now that we all must choose properly our respective leaders,” the Counselor said.
‘Poyle visit boost morale of candidates in Jiwaka
By ROBERT TIKI
Member for Kandep Open Don Polye has boosted the morale for the intending candidates in Jiwaka during his visit on Tuesday.
The opposition leader who was invited for a rally at Minz by his THE party candidate Julius Jiap contesting the Anglimp South Waghi Open seat spent 3 hours with people and candidates at his home at Avi spoke to them when his relatives hijacked his planned trip and forcefully demanded him to pay a visit on them.
Bougainville ready for polling
BY SEBASTIAN HAKALITS
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville is ready to go into polling come Monday as scheduled by the PNG Electoral Commission.
Electoral Manager in Bougainville Mr Desmond Timiyaso said they are ready to conduct the election polling.
He said third level training for polling officials have been conducted after the recruitment exercise by uploading Temporary Election Workers (TEW).
Mr Timiyaso said all polling materials have been dispatched last weekend.
Choose according to actions and conduct
BY LYNETTE KIL
OVER 10, 000 people in the nation’s capital seized the biggest oval In the Nation’s Capital, the Unagi oval on Wednesday during One of Triumph Heritage Empowerment party Candidate rally.
The oval was colored with more than 50 Traditional dance group with men, women and children from all walks of life witnessing THE party candidate Andrew Mald Rally with Party Leader Don Pom Polye.
Founder of THE party and Member for Kandep Don Pom Polye in his speech urged voters to choose their new leaders according to their actions and conducts.
Robin Yalambing sacrifices to contest
BY NATALIE CHOLOHEI
Fourth time election candidate Robin Yalambing has once more sacrificed his business to contest the Morobe Provincial seat to serve the people of Morobe province.
The candidate has been contesting this seat for the past elections and fell short to collect more votes to come out on top but gave his best to provide much needed services to the people despite the result.
GRUF party hopes for progress
BY ZEBEDEE GIAME
Grassroots United Front Party (GRUF) candidate for Lae open candidate Brown Kiki has vowed to make Ahi land mobilization a priority through political unity.
“There are ten MPs from Morobe and if all their resources are combined towards the development of Lae city, Lae could be a better place for investment, urbanization and development and growth,” he said.
Wenge says autonomy way forward
BY ZEBEDEE GIAME
Three termed Morobe Governor and United Party candidate for Morobe Regional, Luther Wenge confidently says autonomy is the way forward for Morobe.
Mr. Wenge made the remarks in Lae saying that the province had been contributing generously to the national purse over the years in terms of tax and internal revenue.
He said many times, the national government had been delaying constitutional grants that should be used for social services and infrastructural development.
Choose according to actions and conduct
BY LYNETTE KIL
Founder of Triumph Heritage Empowerment party and Member for Kandep Don Pom Polye urge voters to choose their new leaders according to their actions and conducts.
Polye made this remarks during a rally held in the Nation’s Capital at the Unagi oval in recently.
Over 10,000 people attended the rally.
The oval was colored by a 100 different traditional dance groups as they welcomed party leader Polye in support of his two endorsed candidates for Moresby South Samaon Kiriliyo and Moresby North East Andrew Mald.
Increase in polling booths in SHP a concern
BY LYNETTE KIL
An increase in polling booths from 488 to 648 by the Electoral commission in Southern Highlands will see one or no police officer in some polling booths says Highlands/Western End divisional police commander Chief Superintendent Kaiglo Ambane.
Superintendent Ambane raised this concern when asked to update on security for polling in the area.
“Weeks ago the electoral commission made changes in the number of polling booths in the Western End of Highlands Region which comprise of Enga, Southern Highlands and Hela Province without any explaination,” said Ambane.
Police polling operations begins in Central province
BY LYNETTE KIL
Liquor- ban and police road blocks will be conducted in the Central Province to prepare for smooth polling.
Central province police commander Chief Inspector Laimo Asi made this known recently saying that road blocks and a liquor ban will continue till 8 July, the end of polling.
“This is to ensure a free fare and safe election for people of Central province,” said inspector Asi.
Motu-Koitabuans should not be taken lightly
BY MATHEW VARI
An adamant chairman of the Motu-Koitabuan assemble and Deputy Governor for NCD, Opao Udia, has given notice that his people will not stand to be spectators in the next term of parliament.
Mr Udia maintained that despite improvements in relations between the assembly and the city authority, the people continue to remain spectators on their own land.
Udia said as the indigenous landowners of the capital, they continue to be looked down on as peace loving people with no one taking them seriously.
He called on the leaders of the next parliament both in the capital and the country to recognize his people and their interest as the time for peace loving may change if forced upon them.
Parkop sets challenges to other cities
BY MATHEW VARI
Powes Parkop has maintained and challenged the importance of major cities in the country as key pillars in holding the country together.
He called on major cities to lift and inspire the people to be links to the economy. He said development in cities around the country creates a hub for growth, that provides markets for the country’s resources to be consumed and exported.
Polye urged people to be wary of last minute moves
BY ROBERT TIKI
The party Constituents in the Jiwaka Province have been urged to be wary of crook move as polling is days away.
Member for Kandep Open Don Polye raised the concern on Tuesday when speaking to a large crowd at Avi village encouraging them to fully understand themselves before they cast their votes.
The Opposition leader and the three time former deputy prime minister said he wanted to clear the minds of people and ensure that they can be in better position to cast their votes because many of them have already succumbered to bribery during the campaign.
‘’I know that some of you have been bribed by candidates over the past campaign period. And there will be more cash floating in your doorsteps at the last minute but remember that those gifts are only short term pleasures. So please shun any form of bribery if it is offered to you again ,’’ said Polye.
Mr Polye who is also the party leader for THE party urged people to choose quality leaders for their own benefit.
Peace restored before election
BY DANIEL GERSON
Community Leaders have pledged to restore peace with the Jika Mugmana clan before 2017 National Election polls began when they paid a total of K30,000 in cash, 26 live Pigs and a Cow in a peace reconciliation ceremony which took place at Queens Park .
Western Highlands Provincial Government PEC member and Chairmen of Law and Order Thomas Wama with the support and effort of peace mediation community facilitated the peace ceremony.
The offer made by T School Community to Jika Mugamana clan was accepted by Jika Mugmana clan leader and Councillor Steven Wane in front of more than 3,000 people that witness the ceremony.
Transparent leadership needed
By RAMCY WAMA
With a few days remaining before Papua New Guinea goes to the polls to elect their leaders, a candidate in Jiwaka Province has called on the people not to vote him with an expectation to get money after the election.
Jiwaka Regional Candidate, Peter Moti who wanted transparency and honest leadership said during his campaign that people must to vote for leaders who will provide services.
Mr Moti said this country has not being developed as money meant for development was distributed under the table and not transparently.
He told the people of Jiwaka that the fortnight money earned by a Member of Parliament could not cater for all the money, food, pigs and logistic support given by the people during the election, thus money meant for development is diverted to paper projects to cater for those election bills.
Road network important for Okapa
BY PEARSON KOLO
The vital and primary infrastructure in the country are roads.
That means people must be linked by good road networks to their provincial capitals and will allow the people to actively participate in developments and economic activities.
This was highlighted by a candidate running for the Okapa Open Seat in the Eastern Highlands Province recently.
The candidate, Terry Isagimo who has been looking after roads in the districts in EHP for more than 15 years while working with the provincial government said good road networks are the only vital infrastructure that the people of Okapa District need.
Isagimo when promising the people of Okapa district said that he would cut seven new road links in the district, when he wins the election.
EHP ready for one day polling
BY PEARSON KOLO
Electoral Commissioner Pitilias Gamato said Eastern Highlands Province is a peaceful province and that is why he has allowed for successful one day polling.
Mr Gamato said this in Goroka Town while officially opening the one day polling ceremony in the province.
“Eastern Highlands Province is a peaceful province and I thank the people for having a peaceful campaign period,” Mr Gamato said.
“We are expecting to see a peaceful on day polling which will set the precedence for the other highlands provinces in the country to follow during polling.”
Poyle boosted morale of candidates in Jiwaka
By ROBERT TIKI
Member for Kandep Open Don Polye has boosted the morale of intending candidates in Jiwaka during his visit on Tuesday.
The opposition leader who was invited to speak at a rally in Minz by THE party candidate Julius Jiap who is contesting the Anglimp South Waghi Open seat spent 3 hours with people and candidates at his home at Avi.
Mr Polye who is the former three times deputy Prime Minister told the people to choose candidates fairly whom they think can represent them in the floor of parliament.
“If you choose your first choice to one of my official candidate, then don’t forget to give your second choice to other rival candidates because they will be with me if they win their seats ,’’Mr Polye said.
Polye’s words have inspired regional candidates including Fred Konga, Pious Nori, Paul Oldi and Anglimp South Waghi Open independent Candidate Mr Issac Mal Yalde.
Mr Polye said Jiwaka was his original place where he grew up.
“Although I am from Kandep my upbringings has been here at Avi. So that’s why I call Jiwaka my home ,’’ Mr Polye said.
Man arrested
A man has been charged for allegedly trying to discharge a firearm in public.
The man was identified as a councillor from Bokuku village in Abau District in the Central Province.
Central Provincial Police Commander Laimo Asi said that the man had removed a pistol and tried to discharge it whilst member for Abau Sir Puka Temu was talking during a rally held recently.
He was formally arrested and charged on 3 counts relating to the firearm and was locked up at the Boroko cells on Tuesday evening.
Mr Asi added that the arrest is a warning to the people of central to not resort to violence and such violent attitudes will not be tolerated.
Kakas on Operations in Enga
Enga Province is ready for polling and counting period.Provincial Police Commander George Kakas said that he had the support of 600 men on the ground in the province.
With the province volatile at times, an additional team of 300 will be sent in from Southern Highlands, with Hela also assisting with 50 men bringing the total to 900 Mr Kakas said.
He added that the province had 416 polling booths and unlike previous times hotspots will have more men with urban centres across the province will see a lone officer at the polling stations Mr Kakas said.
High price on votes
A candidate has urged Papua New Guineans to put a very high price on their votes that they were not for sale but would be given to leaders who are willing to provide big returns over the next five years.
Kerema Open candidate Camilo Ekari, directing his message specifically to the people of Gulf said the same must be applied to every Papua New Guinean, so that “we can deliver services” that improve the lives.
A civil engineer by profession, Mr Ekari he will put a lot of emphasis on quality roads which will enable access to many of the basic services that Governments of countries will much smaller economies than PNG provide to their people that these are considered rights.
“After 40 years and some of our people do not have access to clean water. Electricity is a privilege and people who have it consider it a luxury.
“This is unacceptable for a country that boasts about its riches in natural resources. “Why do our people have to be continuously treated with distain when every five years they turn up at the villages, mingle with the people pretending to understand the sufferings of our people.”
GST issue a very easy job, candidate
BY MATHEW VARI
Central Province continues to benefit less from the shadow of the capital through Good and services tax (GST) payment not forthcoming.
According to Central Regional candidate Nelson Saroa, the issue is simple to resolve. The principle lawyer maintains that the NCDC act guarantees 5 per cent GST for the province that hosts the capital of Port Moresby.
“GST issue is a very easy job, yet we keep voting people who have no idea to get that GST,” Mr Saroa said bluntly.
“That section talks about in every fiscal year under the NCD Act one fiscal year central province is entitled to 5 per cent of whatever NCD collects.”
“If NCD collects K200 million in one fiscal year that is about K10 million, 5 per cent, so if we have not collected GST for the past 10 years that is K100 million enough to build central city, pipe water into our houses.”
Central urged to stop following
BY MATTHEW VARI
Central province has been branded as a follower, by the head of a political party.
People’s Progress Party leader, Ben Micah, has said it is time Central province votes in a new caliber of leader to stand up for the province in light of the many challenges facing its people.
He made the comments when campaigning alongside his candidate for the regional seat Nelson Saroa.
Mr Micah made reference to his time in the 8th parliament and his view of leaders that have not spoken often on the floor of the big house on the rights and issues of their people.
“It is time for central province to stand up and show that they are leaders to. This is the time in this election that you must choose those leaders,” Mr Micah said.
Look there are also leaders with a good heart. I know of many good leaders in this parliament and others who have a good heart, but they do not have a good mouth to speak what is in a heart.”
Women not integrated in development
BY MATHEW VARI
A very vocal West Sepik women council president, Dorothy Tekwie, has challenged the women of Central Province to choose their candidate and more importantly political parties wisely.
Ms Tekwie said the issue of women not being integrated in development in the country continues to persist. Saying that the election for 2017 should be an opportunity for the other half of the country’s voting population to vote in their interest.
The Women in Politics founder spoke in support of the People’s Progress Party’s push, on Tuesday, for women issues by way of key policies earmarked for implementation if asked to form government.
NO police inside polling zones
BY MATHEW VARI
Presiding officers (POs) for the Woitape LLG in the Goilala district have been reminded that police and security official are not allowed within the polling zone.
This was the message conveyed to POs during their final briefing yesterday, held in Port Moresby. District returning officer Theodore Maia, said experiences in past elections say officers enter into the polling zone, which is not permitted.
A five meter distance from the polling area is the standard set, according to the returning officer.
PNGEC on NCD polling places
BY GORETHY KENNETH
The National Capital District will be introducing a new polling place implementation plan for the first time in the 2017 National Election.
Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato says that in this new polling place implementation plan multiple-booth polling places will be created for NCD voters.
“This will be done for the first time in this election so that voters can easily find their place to vote.”
“Additional benefits to centralized polling places are more concentrated security forces, more efficient delivery and retrieval of electoral materials, and more effective appointment of temporary election workers to local polling places.”
Mr. Gamato explained that with this new arrangement each polling place will have at least one or more polling booths where voters will be issued with ballot papers to mark their three most preferred candidates.
Polling for NCD will be conducted on Tuesday, 27 June in which registered voters from the Open electorates – Moresby North-East, Moresby North-West and Moresby South – will cast their ballots at polling places established within their respective suburbs, communities, or settlements, all of which are known as polling locations.
“If a voter is not registered, he or she will not be able to vote. If a voter is registered, he or she will only able to vote once.”
Mr. Gamato explains the NCD polling operations as follows:
- Only voters who are registered on the Electoral Roll for their respective polling location (e.g., suburb, community, settlement, compound, etc.) will be allowed to vote at their polling place.
- When a voter arrives to their assigned polling place, they must ask the PNGEC polling staff at which polling booth they should cast their vote depending on their last, or family name.
- Each polling booth will serve voters based on the alphabetical order of the first initial of the last, or family name. Large signs will be visible to direct voters to the correct Polling Booth.
- For example, at a one-booth polling place, the voters from A to Z will be served. At a two-booth polling place, the voters will be served from A to M at Booth 1 and N to Z at Booth 2, and so on for whatever number of Polling Booths in the Polling Place.
- There will be two lines for each polling booth: one for men and one for women or people with disabilities. Inside some polling booths, the PNGEC staff may issue ballots to the voters in both lines, depending on the number of voters assigned to that polling booth. Pregnant women and senior citizens will be allowed to the front of the line to cast their votes.
- Voters may be required to confirm their name is on the Electoral Roll at the entrance to the polling place before they are directed to the appropriate polling booth. If the voter’s name is NOT on the Electoral Roll for that polling location, they will NOT be able to vote at that polling place, with no exceptions.
- Voters are encouraged to CHECK if their name is on the Electoral Roll and at which polling place they are supposed to vote BEFORE Election Day.
- Meanwhile, the following ways are available for voters to check for their names: Visit the PNGEC Electoral Roll Lookup website: http://www.pngec.gov.pg/irc/roll-lookup/RollLookUp/.
For Electoral Roll confirmation and information about where to vote, contact the NCD Election Information Hotline Centers by phone or email:
- Moresby North-East: Phone: 7936-4938 or 7553-4721;
Email: mne@gmail.com - Moresby North-West: Phone: 7936-4947 or 7536-5507;
Email: mnw@gmail.com - Moresby South: Phone: 7936-5000 or 7553-4763;
Email: ms@gmail.com
For the 2017 National Election, NCD has approximately 265,000 registered voters across the three districts:
- Moresby North-East: 105,000 voters
- Moresby North-West: 90,000 voters
- Moresby South: 70,000 voters
There will be approximately 370 polling booths operating in approximately 170 polling places throughout NCD.
Approximately 105 multiple-booth polling places will be in operation during polling (15 with four to seven polling Booths and 90 with two or three Polling Booths). The remaining polling places will operate only one polling booth.
The key multiple-booth polling places within the three NCD Open electorates are as follows:
Moresby North-East
- BOROKO SUBURB: Apex Park (4 booths) and Lahara Park (2 booths)
- EAST BOROKO SUBURB: Coronation Primary School (5 booths)
- 5-MILE SETTLEMENT AND NBC: Jack Pidik Park (4 booths)
- SARAGA SETTLEMENT: Saraga Field (6 booths)
- GORDON’S SUBURB: Unagi Oval (4 booths)
- ERIMA SETTLEMENT: Erima Court House (7 booths)
- -MILE SETTLEMENT: Moitaka Primary School (6 booths)
- MOROBE BLOCK: PNG Power Pole, Last Block (5 booths)
Moresby North-West
- HOHOLA BURNS PEAK: Hohola Police Station (4 booths)
- TOKARARA SUBURB: Tokarara Secondary School (6 booths)
- JUNE VALLEY: Ororo Primary School (3 booths)
- NORTH WAIGNAI: Boreboa Primary School (3 booths)
- MORATA 2 SUBURB: Pastor Charles Lapa’s Residence (4 booths)
Moresby South
- NEW TOWN: Kabua Crescent Roundabout (3 booths)
- WANIGELA VILLAGE: Wanigela Community Hall (5 booths)
- GOROBE SETTLEMENT: Gorobe Mini-Market (3 booths)
- SABAMA SUBURB AND SETTLEMENT: Sabama Field (5 booths)
The Polling Schedule for NCD can be viewed on the PNGEC website: http://www.pngec.gov.pg/.
For additional information about the PNGEC and 2017 National Election, visit the PNGEC on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pngecinfo2017/.
Candidate eyes infrastructure development in city
BY JERRY SEFE Live
NCD Regional Candidate and Professional Civil Engineer Brian Bal Dulume announced that he is planning to implement new road developments and proper sewerage and water supply system for affected communities in the city.
Mr Dulume is a candidates endorsed by ‘Our Development Party’ under the leadership of Sir Puka Temu.
He said he has seen and experienced the need for infrastructure such as road, sewerage, water supply and housing which are bigger issues affecting the coastal communities of Central in the city for years.
He said being formerly engaged with the National Works Department and Eda-Ranu as a Manager he saw the need to deliver effective infrastructure services however was not able to fully exercise his rights due to inadequate funds administered by so called government leaders.
“This has inspired me to stand to address the road and sewerage including water supply issue which is still affecting coastal Central communities and suburbs in the city,” Dulume said.
“Land issue is another important sector that I will be looking at to ensure the people of Motu Koitabu to have an equal share following major developments on their land” he said.
Adding that huge portions of land belonging to the people of Central Province were overused for commercial purposes.
He has promised to replace all settlements in the city with concrete houses with access to free water, better sewerage systems and proper roads if he wins.
NIPS polling will still go ahead
BY NOAH KAGAI
Papua New Guinea Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato has told the people of Kavieng that election will go ahead as planned.
Kavieng Police Station Commander Gabriel NDrihin has warned that anyone found to disrupt polling will be arrested and charged.
Reports allege that the New Ireland Provincial Administration had threatened last week to stop polling in province after a disagreement arouse surrounding the 10 polling officials that were appointed to run polling and counting in Kavieng district.
“The elections will proceed, we have a duty to provide security for this election and they must be warned, that we will arrest anyone who disrupts election,” Mr NDrihin said.
“Yes, tell those few people that they cannot stop the election process and deny peoples constitutional right to vote. Election will still go ahead as planned,” said Gamato.
Lae Metropolitan Command outlines achievements in last 6 months
BY BRADLEY MARIORI
The Lae Metropolitan Command has achieved some of their aims in the last six months announced by Lae Metropolitan Superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr in their mid year parade yesterday (Wednesday).
One of their achievements is the launching of the toll free number to make it easier for the residents of Lae and the community to directly report to police even if they don’t have credits in their phones.
Polling in Abau district expected to be delayed by two days
BY GRACE AUKA SALMANG
Polling for some Local Level Government (LLG’s) in the Abau District of Central Province is expected to be delayed by two days and not according to polling dates prepared by the PNG Electoral Commission due to the late arrival of election materials.
Returning officer for the Abau Open Electorate Mr Lawerance Baro has confirmed that polling dates for Aroma LLG and Cloudy Bay LLG will be from Monday June 26 to Wednesday June 28, 2017.
Mr Baro said this when asked if ballot papers and boxes have been delivered to Kupiano Station in Abau for polling to begin on Saturday June 24 as per the electorate’s polling schedule.
He told Post Courier that these election materials would be sorted out soon and will be transported to Kupiano by Thursday
“The changes have been made, due to the late arrival of election materials because we will also need some time to dispatch materials to other LLG’s as well.
Lae Metro Command on 116 polling teams
BY BRADLEY MARIORI
The Lae Metropolitan Command had 116 polling teams under their care when polling commences next Thursday, 29th June in Lae.
Of the 116 teams, 55 is for Lae Open, 30 for Huon Gulf Urban, and 31 for Nawaeb Urban.
Lae Metropolitan Superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr during a parade yesterday told his police men and women that they will use all their available forces to do this job and will do it properly.
“I want to encourage the public that these are the last days of campaigning.
“Campaign period will stop at Friday 00:00 midnight. The people must not get into conflicts or fight Wagambie said police will go out to support the Electoral Commission to make sure the election is free, fair, and safe for everyone.
Everyone has freedom of choice
BY NATALIE CHOLOHEI
Concerns have been raised over freedom of choice being controlled in this time of election.
A community level Anti-Corruption watch group leader Riggo Nangan has raised this concern with reference to a political campaign advertisement in both daily newspapers last week to not vote for Sam Basil, Don Polye and Sir Mekere Morauta.
Riggo said as a democratic country every individual have the right to vote anyone freely without fear or favor and this election is no exception.
Riggo said,”Our freedom of choice should not be controlled and it is not right to tell the people who we should and should not vote for. Instead of telling us who to vote for, you (PNC) should explain to us what are you going to do for us in the next five years”
Abstain from violence or face the consequences
BY FRANKIY KAPIN
Voters in Lae are advised ahead of the one day polling for the electorate to abstain from violence or face the inevitable.
“We want eligible voters to move freely to the booth and place their votes. Any signs of violence and upon security assessment will result in the booths being closed,” says the Lae Metropolitan Commander. Met Supt Wagambie Jr remarked yesterday (Wednesday) as campaigning winds down to three days before polling begins.
The one day polling for Lae is scheduled for Thursday 29th June 2017.
Common roll for 2017 is messy
BY GRACE AUKA SALMANG
Proper updating of the Common Roll for the 2017 National Election should be done in order to avoid chaos during polling, says People’s Resource Awareness Party Leader and the National Capital District (NCD) Regional Candidate Paul Masta.
Mr Masta told Post Courier this morning after he noticed that his name appeared in four constituencies on the Electoral Commission’s website namely NCD, twice in Jiwaka Province and one in Manus Province.
“I am very concerned about this, I come from Manus so I don’t mind my name been there and for NCD, I have lived here for 50 years but why do I have two names in Jiwaka Province.“If they have done this to my name, I am sure they have done it to other Papua New Guineans,” he said.
Commonwealth Observers
Fourteen observers from the Commonwealth group met with the media this morning in Port Moresby.
The team are currently in the country for the 2017 National Election and will be visiting parts of the country throughout the polling and counting period.
AOG Pastor: Do away with conventional politics to save PNG
The country needs no-nonsense politicians who are also God fearing men and women to save PNG from its huge debt a missionary and lay Pastor for the Assembly Of God Church says.
Pastor Tom Watinga contesting National Capital District Regional Seat and is the Party leader for The PNG Destiny Party who shared his concerns about PNG’s debt that stood over K45 billion.
He said PNG is really facing a biggest huge debt problem ever and needs the right people to get the nation to recover from this huge debt because the normal or conventional way of making money was just not enough to save PNG and pay back those debts.
Other concerns he shared also that normal tax that government receives from companies is still not enough to save PNG as many companies are not paying profit taxes due to affected companies not making money.
Pastor Watinga said the main revenue streams under certain colonial rule which he claimed PNG still adapts to till this day, from which the country still survives on but the reality remains that companies would pay however it was never a prominently featured rule for companies who don’t make profit.
He said for instance, the current oil companies were not paying taxes that were due because oil prices have dropped steeply from 100 dollars a barrel to less than 50 dollars a barrel connoting the revenue cuts by 50 percent and incurring low profit gains as a consequence.
“Who suffers the most? The hook and crook benefits most from the low to median wage earned taxes, in this case marginalized groups and societies in the country suffer. This is why PNG needs to be steered out of a broke culture,” he said.
He also noted that PNG in turn suffers enormously from low foreign currency exchange levels from trade exports.
The pastor also noted that Customs does not collect as much taxes from certain luxury products such as re-traded vehicles that has a reduced value to improve and impress import tax gains.
Pastor Watinga said no to raw material export laws that are currently in place and prefers to throw out old exploration laws guided currently by the constitution and rather go big in agriculture are among some of his plans for any new leaders elected to seriously consider.
Kakas on Operations in Enga
Enga province is all set for polling and the counting period announced Provincial Police Commander George Kakas.
He added that the support of a 600 menpower team on the ground Enga is well prepared.
With the provinces volatile situation at times, an additional team of 300 men will be sent in from Southern Highlands, Hela will also assist with 50 men, bringing the total to 900 Mr Kakas said.
“The province has 416 polling booths, with hotspots to have extra men to guard urban centers across the province,” said Kakas.
He added that to assist during polling is a newly established radio command centre and a readily available Response Unit on ground in case of emergencies.
WNB PA warn public servants
BY JEROME IKUAVI
West New Britain Provincial Administrator Williamson Hosea has warned public servants to be neutral during the election period.
Speaking during a brief election update meeting with the provincial electoral commission, polling teams and the election officials, Hosea said that public servants involved with the national election should by now know what to do during this time.
“We are servants of the people therefore we must make sure to be neutral and must not be involved in politics,” Hosea said.
He urged the polling teams that during the polling period they will be seen as ambassadors conducting polling.
Hosea warned that all government properties should not be used for political purposes.
“We need to work as a team as government and polling officials to complete the elections with a clear and conscience mindset,” he said.
WNB police ready for polling
BY JEROME IKUAVI
West New Britain Provincial Police Commander Jim Namora gave a short insight of the police preparations for the National Elections in the province.
According to Namora the police department and Correctional Services (CS) have prepared well and hope that this election will be free and fair.
PPC Namora reiterated that there are 61 polling teams and 178 police personals assigned to cater for the 61 teams.
“The 61 teams that will be sent for the polling in the two districts (Kandrian-Gloucester and Talasea) in the province will have three security personals for each team. However, there are certain areas where the situation demands more than three security personals and some only one,” Namora said.
Namora urged the public servants that it is now their task to carry the message across because the police department cannot cater for all the polling teams.
“From the 178 security personals, 32 CS personals have been attached for the national election however 19 CS personals have withdrawn,” said Namora.
Due to the lack of men power and security PPC Namora said that the department had to manage with their own resources which meant that the polling officers and residing officers would sometimes assist in carrying out police duties during the time of polling.
“We do not have the luxury to beef up every polling areas with our numbers,” he said.
He added that over the past weeks during the campaign period there were two election related fights. The incident includes a clash at section 21 and the recent fight between locals in Talasea ward 8 however the police are trying to deal with the situation.
“This are unpredictable situations where we have to decide how to manage, how to insert and how to conduct polling. The democratic process of elections must proceed,” Namora said.
He added that with continuous changes to the electoral commission it is affecting police operations as we have to plan accordingly to meet their requirements.
Meanwhile, the PPC will hold an election parade with his police personnel and the presiding officers before they are deployed for polling.
Gamato on ballot papers
No ballot paper has been leaked or duplicated and the 11 containers that the Electoral Commissioner kept the ballot papers had never been tampered with.
PNG Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato denied these in no uncertain terms as he responded to reports widely published on social media and mainstream media this week.
Gamato was responding to reports by People’s Progress Party Leader Ben Micah who yesterday strongly called on him and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to tell the people of Papua New Guinea if reports of ballot papers ending up in the hands of candidates were true.
Gamato reiterated that there were no candidates with ballot papers as claimed by Kavieng Open member Ben Micah.
Mr Micah had claimed that certain candidates had ballot papers in their hands. In a video Mr Micah said that he had evidence that were with him including several screen shots of the evidence.
In response Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato has denied the claims saying that the ballot papers which were brought in from Indonesia were secured in a location that was guarded by the Police and PNG Defence Force.
Southern Highlands ready for polling
Highlands is ready for the polling and counting period. Election Manager of the Province David Wakias in his presentation to the Interdepartmental Election Committee team in Mendi at the Aiguru centre said that the recruitment for the 3000 plus polling officials had begun and would be finalised soon.
He added that the list of counting officials would be finalised after the polling period.
Gamato on Potape Petition
Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato will not be moved in his decision to recognise Hela Provincial Administrator William Bando as the Chairman of the Election Steering Committee. Ousted Hela Governor Francis Potape had presented a petition to the InterDepartmental Election Committee team.
The team comprising of Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari, Police Commissioner Gari Baki, PNG Defence Force Gilbert Toropo, and Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato are touring the highlands region in the lead up to polling.
Lupari and Gamato speak in Wabag
Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari has told the Election team in Wabag, Enga Province to work with integrity and professionally.
In a meeting with the team yesterday morning, Mr Lupari said that all election teams including members of the public service would be scrutinised during this election.
Kandep candidate Alfred Manasseh
Kandep candidate Alfred Manasseh trying to cross the broken down road and bridge in Kandep.
IDEC touchdown in Tari
Police Commissioner Gari Baki, Chief Secretary to Government Isaac Lupari and Electoral Commissioner Patilus Gamato in Tari (airport) a few minutes ago.
The Inter Department Election Committee (IDEC) is in Tari to oversee the final stages of preparation for polling.
Nations interest party doesn’t support PN
By Nelson Kairi
The Nations Interest party will not support the current regime led by People’s National Congress (PNC), say’s Francis Neil Tanga.
Mr Tanga who is also contesting the NCD Regional seat said that he is confident of winning the NCDC seat and together with 10 other party members, he aims to be a coalition partner to form the next Government.
He gave no detailed reasons to why he and his party have refused to support the current regime, only saying that he would be willing to work with someone else as PM and not the current.
Tanga said that before he agrees to be a coalition partner to the new Government, he will ask the Prime Minister to enter into an agreement to implement his party’s policies.
Policies on the forefront of the Nations Interest Party include, Zero Settlement Policy in NCD – with the aim of developing settlements in the city and issuing of land titles to those who have lived there for over 20 years, and the land and natural resources sector needs improvement.
Mr Tanga said that he will make sure that customary landowners receive 50 per cent of the revenue from their land and deal directly with the investor with the Government being the middle man.
He said 40 years has gone and his party plans to take PNG through the next 40 by taking PNG back for PNG because most of the resources and opportunities have been given to foreigners.
Tanga urged people to vote wisely as it is for their children’s future and their votes will determine whether the country develops and moves forward or it remains as it is.
Bottle collector stands for skills empowerment
BY SIMON KESLEP
Skills empowerment is a solution for unemployment within semi urban communities.
This is the main message Moresby Northwest candidate and local bottle collector John Soto echoed out during his election campaign at Asaro settlement at Garden Hills in Moresby Northwest last Friday.
Soto is known to many settlements, bottle shop owners and the SP Brewery company for his tireless involvement in the bottle collection business. Having over fifty years in the bottle collection business, Soto has visited many settlements and communities within Moresby Northwest.
“I stand in this year’s election for the second time because it is the youths and mothers endorsement for me to contest the election and address their everyday issues,” said Mr. Soto.
Soto’s visit to the Asaro community was like a relief for everyone given the fact that no candidates have visited the community which comprises mostly of Bena, Asaro, Lufa, Chimbu and working class people.
Youth empowerment through life changing skills programs and supporting womens group within Moresby Northwest is said as key services for the people. Service delivery within settlements needs to be addressed in order to curb down on petty crimes, law and order issues, youth empowerment and basic services being provided to meet taxpayers’ needs.
Soto’s campaign team mostly comprises of youths from within Hohola, burns peak and surrounding settlement communities. A young youth who strongly supports Mr. Soto in this year’s election said they earn money through selling bottles and having more business opportunities being provided will pave way for youths to be empowered to live a trouble free life.
WNB ready for Polling
BY JEROME IKUAVI
The West New Britain electoral commission has confirmed that it is ready for the national election polling.
According to Electoral Manageress and Provincial Returning Officer Emily Kelton the polling materials, ballot boxes and papers have already arrived in the province and all teams are ready for the big day.
She added that quality checks have been completed and all materials are locked at the Kimbe Police Station.
At a briefing with the election team and the police, Kelton confirmed that 305 officials and 61 polling teams will be deployed to their respective polling sites.
The Kandrian/Gloucester Electorate consist of 22 polling teams and 39 polling teams for the Talasea Electorate
Meanwhile changes have been made to Talasea Polling.
Electoral Commissioner Patilia Gamato and Police Commissioner Gari Baki have advised that the Provincial Election Security Council has allowed polling to be carried out in wards 5, 6, 7 and 8.
Liapo polling will be moved to the Valupai Catholic Mission away from the fighting area. The ward 8 polling area will proceed with two days at the same polling booth at Valupai then another day at Buluwara.
Apart from that there have been no additional changes made however, the local communities and candidates have been asked to respect this decision and allow for the democratic process to proceed.
Tanga eyes NCD regional seat
By Nelson Kairi
NCD Regional hopeful, Francis Neil Tanga is confident of winning the NCD regional seat.
Whilst speaking to a sizable crowd at the Gerehu Sports Centre on Sunday, Mr Tanga said that he was driven to run for the seat as there lacked vital developments in the city.
He said that in the past 10 years under the sitting Governor, the people of NCD have been fooled to believe that developments are taking place.
Mr Tanga alleged that most of the new roads that have been built or are in construction phase have been funded by the National Government and not NCDC.
He questioned where the money given to NCDC by the IRC on a yearly basis worth 1. 2 billion is going as there are no new classrooms, schools or clinics in the city.
Mr Tanga added that youths, church and women’s groups have been neglected as well as sporting facilities around the city.
He pledged that with his experience as the former Chairman of the Land Board, he would make sure that settlements around the city are developed and those living on the land for more than 20 years will be issued titles.
Mr Tanga said that this would come under his “zero settlement policy”, which he plans to put into action when he gets into office.
He urged voters to think about the future of their children when they go to the polls on 27 June.
Mr Tanga leads new party, “Nations Interest Party” wielding box 45 in the NCD Regional race.
PM Commits to Boku Road
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill promised to seal the Bogu road in the Rigo Inland in the Central Province during a campaign rally there last week.
The Prime Minister who was in the area last week to campaign for his candidate Ano Pala made the assurance to the people that he will seal the road as it is one of the priority roads of his Government.
He said they were unable to complete all project within the last four years as they had to fix all the accumulated problems over the years.
Speaking during the campaign rally at Matanatou in the Boku area, the Prime Minister Peter O’Neil and his candidate and Member for Rigo, Mr Ano Pala outlined some of the current government’s policies that have enabled the advancement of many of the sectors which for the past 40 years have been neglected and mismanaged.
TIPNG calls for peaceful elections
BY TONY SII
Transparency International PNG which is the only domestic observer of the 2017 National Election is calling on every citizen of the country to make a stand for a peaceful election.
“Election is everybody’s business. Regardless of age, gender, or status we are going to influence the outcome of the election. Therefore I’d like to encourage everybody to be responsible of their actions and be mindful of other citizens who want to freely cast votes for the leaders of their choice in a peaceful and non violent condition,” said TIPNG election observations coordinator Wala Ola.
Ms Ola said citizens should also educate themselves more on the laws, processes, procedures, and roles required of them at different stages of the election so as to avoid confusion and misunderstanding which can flare emotions and mar the election outcome.
“Citizens have roles to play and it’s not just the electoral commission; we should make it our business to read a lot about the election awareness materials and educate ourselves about the electoral processes in general and how we can be the agents to influence the election positively,” she said.
Parties opt out of code of conduct
BY MATTHEW VARI
Despite the code of conduct being initially signed by 16 political parties, a majority have elected to opt out of the agreement.
The Registry of Political Parties and Candidates undertook a forum with the parties on the code of conduct recently.
Registrar Dr Alphonse Gelu said that despite him maintaining the code of conduct as not posing any penalties, parties continue to remain suspicious of the code.
“The PNG Electoral Commission and the political parties are out there on the frontline if there are any issues, they must play their part by calming down their supporters or candidates,” he said.
“That is very important because we do not want a party that is inciting violence and suddenly that party is in government.”
“What example is that party trying to show and I think that statement from the (electoral) commissioner is very important?”
Dr Gelu said that despite the explanation, the parties continued to express their intention to opt out of the code. Parties are not bound by law to sign therefore the registry could not force them to do it.
The registry then suggested for a joint statement to be signed by parties due to the misunderstanding of the parties that initially signed to maintain some form of commitment on their part.
Parties quiet about funding issue
BY MATTHEW VARI
Political parties have not made too much fuss about K1 million owed to them by the Registry of Political Parties.
Registrar of Political Parties and Candidate Dr Alphonse Gelu said political parties may have been be too tied up with the election campaign period to make too much fuss.
A total of 19 parties are owed K1.04 million by the National Government through the Political Parties and Candidates Registry.
“All the parties have been very quiet and that is quiet surprising. For us we know that they are out there campaigning,” Dr Alphonse Gelu said.
“But they are not telling us anything, I think they also know our situation that we are not making any noise because we cannot pay them those money.”
When asked about the situation, People’s Progress Party Leader Ben Micah shared similar sentiments on the national front as to why they are not expecting the funds.
Campaign equipment not burnt is divine sign: Vele
BY PAULINE SAPAKE
A fire that gutted intending candidate and local businessman Wari Vele’s home recently has given him the strength to continue his campaign.
“It is a divine sign from above that I must continue to spread my campaign messages to the people of rigo.”
He added that I have one message of truth and that is your DSIP has not been delivered fully to all villages.
“THE fire incident has given me strength and that is the reason why I have to remain focused and to campaign harder to represent the Rigo in parliament.”
“When everything was burnt, the first question I asked was if the speakers, microphones and generator used for campaigning were ok. I found out they were safe in the house boy and there and then I knew it was a divine sign,” Mr Vele said.
He added that the house alone was worth K2million, while over K260,000 was worth of computers, furniture, documents, clothes were lost in the fire.
Vele said that the items lost in the fire are material things but life was important as it cames from God alone.
Mr Vele urged the fire services and police to speed up their investigations and reports before his family could get new licenses and passports soon.
PNG Party Leader Belden Namah at Monokam Village Kompiam
PNG Party Leader Belden Namah at Monokam Village Kompiam, Enga Province to campaign for their candidates Lucy Walus and pro candidate Simon Nanakaol for the Kompiam Ambum seat
Candidates must not assume needs of people
Candidates must not assume what their people need in their electorates but truly find out what their real needs are.
This is according to one of the eight female candidates running for the Rigo Open in Central Province.
Velepat Tuaru, contesting under the PNG Green Party, says it is important to talk to the people to find out their needs at the ward level.
Ms Tuaru said she had conducted a survey in the Rigo Coast LLG to collect data on what the people need so she could address them as part of her policies.
“One of the strategies I used during my campaign is to do some data collection. I believe that that is important to find out at the ward level the priority needs of the people. Very often we as leaders often go and just talk and assume we know our people’s needs. But I believe that it’s important that they tell us their needs so that we know exactly what they are,” Ms Tuaru said.
Ms Tuaru said she was not able to do a survey at Rigo Central and Rigo Inland LLGs but only talked to people at Rigo Coast LLG on their needs.
She added from the chosen target audience she found that the people wanted a change in their livelihoods (50 per cent), followed by health (26 per cent) and education (24 per cent).
“If I am elected, I will look at developing a five-year development plan and will develop policies for the different needs. I didn’t just collect this data for nothing, I will have to prioritise their needs and then slot it into the development plan,” she said.
Hearo on Campaign Trail in Kikori
BY LYNETTE KIL
Kerema based business man and candidate for Kikori Open Alex Hearo says people in Gulf need a new leader to bring development and change into the community.
Hearo told the communities in the Ihu, Baimuru and Kikori electorates of Gulf Province during his campaigns.
“People have suffered enough and it is time for a change in leadership. We as leaders must provide basic services to our people so that our people can benefit from it,” said Haro
He added that the Gulf people have leaders but these leaders have lost their focus in service delivery.
No guns at polling sites
BY JERRY SEFE Live
Under Electoral Commissions directives and practical norm, security alert during election time is genuine and it prohibits exposure of firearms at polling areas.
This was highlighted by Morobe Provincial Election Manager Simon Soheke following the election process and guidelines when informing the media on election basics when reporting on various polling sites in the country.
Mr Soheke outlined that security personnel of the three disciplinary forces deployed to provide security in polling areas must not carry their weapons in front of voters.
He said firearms must be locked and stored away in their vehicles while at the sites.
“They are not allowed to interact or cause inconveniences to people or polling official but are only needed when circumstances arise or requested by officials on crucial grounds” said Soheke.
According to the Electoral Commissions security guidelines exposing of firearms at polling sites can be classified as illegal to some extent or put fear in people when voting.
He said this is the message from the Commissioner Patilas Gamato and it is expected to be followed and respected at all times during polling times.
According to Police Commissioner Gary Baki thousands of security personnel from the Police, Defense and Correctional Services have been deployed to provide security during election.
Mr Baki has appealed to the security forces to be professional, diligent and ethical to their tasks when deployed to various polling sites.
Polling officials ready for ESP
Wednesday 14/06/2017: Time: 12:48pm
BY LAE REPORTERS
A total of 143 polling teams and 715 polling officials have been tasked to take part in the 10 day polling period in East Sepik Province.
Five polling officials of the 715 will be accompanying and working with each of the 143 polling teams during the polling period to ensure the election process is carried out on time.
Ballot boxes for the province were shifted to Wewak during the long weekend and are now ready to be distributed to the districts for the election polling period.
Other general election materials will be flown to Wewak today (June 14) says East Sepik Provincial Election Manager, Kila Ralai.
Mr Ralai said the election team from East Sepik Province is on schedule and are ready for the 10 day polling and will undergo polling training from the 19th to 21st of this month before moving out on their first polling locations on the 22nd and 23rd.
Polling teams will be transported by helicopter to their respective polling locations for rural areas while those whose access are linked by road will be transported using trucks on the 24th.
“So far we have had no dispute among supporters and the Assistant Returning Officers (ARO’s) and Returning Officers (RO’s) as it was reported in other provinces with no disturbances during campaigns” said Ralai.
Western Highlands polling personal on the ground
Wednesday 14/06/2017: Time: 12:30pm
JOHNNY POIYA
The deployment of security personnel for polling in the Western Highlands commenced on Tuesday (13 June).
It will be completed by the weekend when about 100 PNGDF soldiers from Moem Barracks in East Sepik fly to Kagamuga for the election in Hela, Southern Highlands and Enga Provinces.
Election Security Operations Commander Western End, Kaiglo Ambane said six Police Mobile Squad Units outside of the provinces started moving into Hela, Enga and Southern Highlands and the deployment would be completed when the soldiers fly in from Wewak.
A total of 300 – two hundred police mobile squad members from Mt Hagen, Wabag and Port Moresby with the 100 soldiers – will make up the response unit during polling in the three provinces.
Due to the recent major breakouts around the country, Correctional Services Officers will remain in the jails and for the first time not be a part of the election security operations.