Kua wants recount relocated to Goroka
Sinasina-Yongomugl MP Kerenga Kua has called on the Electoral Commissioner to reconsider his decision to relocate the counting venue for the Chimbu regional seat from Lae to Goroka.
This is to ease tension and violence in the province.
He was raising concerns at the escalation of violence and law and order problems in Kundiawa following the decision by the Electoral Commission to recount ballot papers in Lae, Morobe Province.
Late last year, the court of disputed returns found that there were irregularities in the manner in which the counting took place in Kundiawa.
The court ordered that a recount of ballot papers be done in a town outside of Chimbu.
Mr Kua said the choice of the town was left to the discretion of the electoral commissioner, who elected Lae as the counting centre. He said the decision has angered supporters of the candidates for the Chimbu provincial seat. “They have taken matters into their own hands and that has seen an upsurge in violence, and law and order related problems in Kundiawa.It has become difficult for people to access goods and services.”
He said the supporters have barricaded the police station, where the ballot boxes are stored, and are preventing electoral commission officials from moving them to Lae for the recount.
“This standoff has brought Kundiawa to a standstill. Lives and property are at risk on a daily basis.
“This has to stop. These are all related to the decision to take the counting to Lae.” he added.
Mr Kua said the nearest townships viable were Minj or Banz in Jiwaka province and Goroka in the Eastern Highlands province.
“The people of Chimbu have no problem with the court’s decision for a recount outside of Chimbu.
“But Lae is so far away. The cost of taking scrutineers to Lae, accommodating and feeding them to help in the scrutiny of votes is expensive and a logistical nightmare for the 61 candidates.
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