Papua New Guinea Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai says no election will be deemed as failed unless a full report is given by security and electoral staff in the five electorates that have faced issues in the past week.
Markham and Kabwum in Morobe, Kompiam-Ambum, Lagaip and Porgera in Enga Province are five electorates that have seen allegations of vote-fixing leading to clashes between supporters allegedly supported by candidates.
“No decision will be made unless a full report is given,” he said.
“For now we are putting together information we are getting and a decision will be made.”
Sinai further stated that he would also seek legal advise before making any decision.
“In Kompiam, 61 boxes have been collected with 24 still out there, Lagaip 20 boxes completed, 15 destroyed and 44 polling yet to go, Porgera-Paiela 11 boxes yet to poll, 50 boxes came in,” he said.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police – Northern, Peter Guinness, the counting for Markham had been coming to a conclusion.
About 30 plus boxes were destroyed with four more boxes left to be counted. ACP Guinness said that in Kabwum it was on count six when the counting was erupted.
“For both cases we will be talking with the Provincial EC office and recommendations will be made,” he said.
Police Commissioner David Manning said a report was still being compiled.
Sinai said once the report is compiled, he will make it known.
Rumet wins seat for Rabaul
Meanwhile, it took 20 years and just three votes to unshackle Dr Allan Marat’s grip on the Rabaul Open seat in East New Britain Province.
His reign finally came to an end Tuesday when Rabaul Open Returning Officer Babel Umri announced Graham Piniau Rumet, son of legendary Mataungan leader late Daniel Rumet, as the new member-elect for Rabaul.
Dr Allan Marat calmly and graciously accepted his defeat and announced he will retire to his family home to take care of family business.
It was a political race that went down to the wire and is the closest winning margin in the 47 years history of the Papua New Guinea Parliament.