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NEWS CUTTINGS - ELECTIONS 2002
SEVEN MOTHERS PACK-RAPED by Yehiura Hriehwazi (The National 26/6/02) SEVEN mothers pack-raped, 10 houses burnt down, a Member of Parliament arrested and polling officers refused to submit returns until their allowances are paid. These are among the dramatic events of the national elections in the Highlands which also included sketchy reports of two power pylons supplying electricity to the Porgera gold mine being destroyed by angry tribesmen in the Huli area of the Southern Highlands province. In the National Capital District yesterday, People's Democratic Movement party founder Paias Wingti was openly courting re-elected NCD provincial MP Bill Skate. It was a day of drama at the Gordon's Police Gymnasium where counting for the Moresby north-east ballot papers were counted, resulting in the defeat of sitting MP Philip Taku by PDM candidate Casper Wollom. And all over the country, the complaints are the same. There are no funds to hire helicopters and transport polling teams into remote locations to conduct the elections. This is despite an assurance from Chief Secretary and acting Treasury Secretary Robert Igara that funding was being released. There have also been calls for election assessors like Australian High Commissioner Nick Warner to travel to remote areas like Kiunga and Lake Murray in Western province to get a first-hand experience of the problems instead of restricting their visits to urban centres where complaints are minimal. The multiple rape cases occurred in a village in Gumine, Simbu province, last Friday following the killing of a young schoolgirl at a polling station where two council candidates physically assaulted each other over ballot papers. During the fight, a supporter of a candidate let off his .22 rifle, which killed the 14-year-old grade six schoolgirl. In retaliation, tribesmen burnt down 10 houses of the enemy clan and raped the seven mothers, destroyed food gardens and chopped up seven pigs. Meanwhile, Gumine sitting MP Joseph Wamil was arrested and taken into custody at the Kundiawa Police station yesterday morning in another incident. He was charged for being possession of an unlicensed pump-action shotgun. Nine of his supporters were also charged for carrying various offensive weapons. They have each been released on cash bail and are awaiting court appearances at the Kundiawa District Court. Also in the Simbu province, polling officials who are about to conclude elections, are threatening to withhold ballot papers until they are paid their allowances in full. In the Gulf province, Mining Minister and Provincial MP Chris Haiveta yesterday reported that polling officers there were considering holding the returns and ballot boxes ransom until they were paid out their allowances. The National's reporter Andrew Alphonse, who had just returned from Tari in the Southern Highlands province, reported that two power pylons that supply electricity to the giant Porgera mine in the neighbouring Enga province were destroyed about two weeks ago. Porgera mine management could not be contacted to verifying the report. Meanwhile, in Western province's Kiunga-Lake Murray area, polling officials are still awaiting funds to arrive before boats and helicopters could be chartered to move polling teams and materials. The remote Bundi area in the Madang province is also facing a similar situation. The one-day polling in Enga and Southern Highlands provinces, which were scheduled to start yesterday, have been delayed until tomorrow. However, reports from Enga suggest that there could be serious delays of polling in the more remote areas of the province because of financial problems. A senior Electoral Commission official flew to Enga yesterday from Port Moresby to attend to the concerns. POLLS 'GROUNDED' CHOPPER FIRM PULLS OUT OF ELECTION WORK (Post-Courier 26/6/02) PRINCIPAL airline contractor to the Electoral Commission — Pacific Helicopters — is not flying election materials from today. It said yesterday this was because it had not been paid agreed payments by the Electoral Commission to fly election materials to polling stations. Its withdrawal of services is likely to throw into disarray polling in Enga, Chimbu and the Southern Highlands provinces. Phil Smith, executive manager of Pacific Helicopters, said the Electoral Commission had failed to keep its end of the bargain leading to the withdrawal of services. Mr Smith said Pacific Helicopters had written 11 times to the Electoral Commission reminding it to pay its bills. “I also refer to my various telephone messages and e-mails which remain unanswered,” Mr Smith wrote on Tuesday to Electoral Commissioner Reuben Kaiulo. Mr Smith said he was “enraged’’ by the lack of acknowledgement from Mr Kaiulo on this matter. According to Mr Smith, the Electoral Commission, on accepting Pacific Helicopters as provider of all aviation services for the elections, was expected to: * MAKE an initial payment of K495,000; * MAKE an interim payment of K500,000 on or before June 6; * MAKE a third interim payment of K500,000 on or before June 13; and * MAKE a top-up payment of K750,00 whenever the Electoral Commission’s account was reduced to K200,000. But Mr Smith said that as of June 13, his company had only received K495,000 — the initial payment under the agreement. In another letter to Chief Secretary Robert Igara on Monday, Mr Smith said the Electoral Commissioner had not responded to any of his company’s calls. “To complete all electoral flying, we estimate a total of K3 million,’’ he said. “This would allow us to complete all provinces and to catch up on the back log caused by teams, ballot boxes and papers not being ready,” Mr Kela wrote. Late yesterday Mr Smith said he had not heard from the Commission of anything to reverse his decision to discontinue election related flights today carry on. MEANWHILE, outboard motor operators in the Kiunga Rural Local Level Government Council area of the North Fly electorate have also refused to provide their services to the polling teams unless they are paid up front in cash. North Fly returning officer David Soni said the operators had complained of not being paid for work they carried out for the 2002 census update. Mr Soni said the operators would only assist if they were paid the full commercial rate “in hard cash’’. But he said that the North Fly electoral office could not pay the operators as there were no funds available. His office has requested Electoral Commission officials in Daru and Port Moresby for additional funding to pay the operators, but there has been no response. Mr Soni said polling teams need to travel in outboard powered dinghies and canoes along the Ok Tedi and Fly River system to reach the village voters in the Kiunga Rural Local Level Government area. Voting started in Kiunga yesterday. Voting in the Star Mountains LLG area in and around Tabubil continues, despite heavy rain in the district. Polling in the remote Nomad River and Lake Murray areas of the Middle Fly electorate has not begun, as no helicopter charters for polling team has been arranged for the two areas. 10-yr-old girl shot dead in Chimbu polling booth riot By JAMES GUMUNO and ZACHERY PER A TEN-year-old girl was shot dead during a riot at Gumine station polling booth in Chimbu police last Saturday. According to Chimbu police yesterday, a fight broke out between supporters of two candidates during which a man discharged a firearm killing the girl instantly. Her death brings the total number of election related deaths in Chimbu province to three. The two other deaths occurred at the Kuma rest house where two men were shot. One died instantly while the other died from loss of blood at the Kundiawa/Gembogl district hospital. Bad weather plays havoc: BAD weather in Chimbu province has affected polling, which began in the province last week. Polling was supposed to have started on Thursday but got off to a slow start on Friday. On Saturday polling teams went out to areas accessible by road while bad weather hindered choppers from flying polling teams out. On Sunday the helicopter hired by Pacific Helicopters returned to Goroka because the Electoral Commission did not have funds to hire it. A military helicopter hired by the Australian Government to airlift police personnel went to the aid of the Electoral Commission and airlifted polling teams and ballot boxes to remote parts of the province. Teams face obstacles: ROAD inaccessibility into the Eastern Highlands province and bad weather prevented polling teams from transporting marked ballot papers from outlying areas back to the provincial capital, Goroka. Eastern Highlands election manager Abraham Wari said yesterday that polling teams in rural locations completed their polling but bad weather was causing havoc. “Thirty polling teams in Okapa have completed (polling) while 87 teams are still awaiting helicopters to airlift ballot boxes to Goroka,” Mr Wari said. He said in Daulo only one polling team was expected to complete polling today. “In the Goroka electorate, we still have two teams to complete polling at Hewe and Samatoga,” he said. Mr Wari said electorates where polling had been completed were Kainantu, Henganofi, Lufa and Unggai-Bena. “Lufa has four polling teams stranded in Herowana, we expect them to be flown in tomorrow (today),” he said, adding that 10 polling teams were stranded in Obura-Wonenara electorate, eight at Obura and two at Marawaka. Police hire metal boxes: SPECIAL foreign troops contingent commander Aloysius Eviaisa said yesterday police had hired metal containers from a transport company to store ballot boxes at the Goroka police station. Mr Eviaisa said that a polling team despatched to Wesan, on the border of Madang and Eastern Highlands provinces, returned yesterday without any major complaints. He said two suspects who allegedly tampered with ballot boxes that were burnt last Friday appeared in court yesterday. Attempts to get details of the court proceedings from the Goroka courthouse were unsuccessful. Mr Wari expects counting to begin on Thursday. 7 KILLED IN HIGHLANDS (The National 24/6/02) SEVEN men have been killed and two others injured in a trail of election related violence in the Highlands region. One of those injured had his ears slashed while the other had his fingers chopped off. The deaths bring to nine the total death toll since the start of the elections on June 15. In another incident, petrol was poured over six ballot boxes in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province, and one of them was set alight. Australian High Commissioner Nick Warner, who was in Goroka as an observer, witnessed the incident. In Port Moresby, armed police fronted up at Moresby North East candidate Caspar Wallom's residence and demanded the release of two empty ballot boxes late yesterday. No explanation was forthcoming as to why Mr Wallom had the boxes. In the vote counts in NCD seats, Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta was leading last night up to the suspension of counting. He is expected to be declared winner later today. Lady Carol Kidu was also leading comfortably in Moresby South and Mr Wallom is on a shaky lead in Moresby North East, followed closely by sitting MP Philip Taku. In the NCD regional seat, sitting MP Bill Skate takes a commanding lead ahead of close rival Jammie Maxton-Graham. Of the seven deaths in the Highlands, two were killed in the Eastern Highlands, two in Enga, two in Simbu and one in Western Highlands. Meanwhile, authorities are fearful that the level of violence could escalate with Enga and Southern Highlands going to the polls this week. Highlands Divisional Police Commander Alfred Reu confirmed to reporters yesterday in Mt Hagen the seven deaths occurred from election related violence. Mr Reu said in Enga, supporters of two rival candidates contesting the provincial seat clashed in Kompiam on Tuesday last week, leaving two dead and several more injured. The incident happened when one candidate went into the area to make a cheque presentation at a school. Another candidate, who was also in the area, hurled verbal abuse at the candidate, sparking the clash. No further details were made available. In Kundiawa, a man was shot dead in Pari village on Saturday, sparking a clash between supporters of two Kundiawa Open candidates using guns and other weapons. Houses and properties have been destroyed, and a resident in the town said last night that the fight was continuing. "Many people have been injured in the clash, but we do not know exactly how many," he said by phone. Another man was killed at the Kurumul rest house in the Kundiawa/ Gembogl district. Many houses and personal properties at Sigar and Kurumul villages were also burnt down and destroyed during a fight between three sub clans of the Bomaikane tribe. The two injured were also from the Simbu province. In Western Highlands, one person was shot dead in the Nebilyer district and three ballot boxes for the Tambul/Nebilyer electorate was destroyed at the weekend after a row developed between supporters of two candidates. Another villager had his leg smashed in the same area in a separate incident while a young man from Wahgi area, who was allegedly shot in the leg by a policeman while arguing over where a ballot box should go, is recovering in the Mt Hagen Hospital. Last week, one man was shot dead in Mt Hagen while another was killed in Mul in election related violence. Meanwhile, the National Security Advisory Committee met on Friday to discuss election security. Electoral Commissioner Reuben Kaiulo also attended the meeting. Following the meeting, the government assured Papua New Guineans that it would release funds to pay for logistics to conduct the national elections - a move sees as "a little too late" by many. Chief Secretary Robert Igara said the Departments of Finance and Treasury will ensure "the timely release of the funds required." "The further release of funds should immediately overcome transportation and allowance problems. Government contractors and suppliers can be assured of payment for approved services," Mr Igara said. MP WANTS TO BUY ARMS FOR POLICE (The National 21/6/02) A MEMBER of Parliament has written to Police Commissioner Joseph Kupo saying that he is still waiting for a response to his offer to buy high-powered guns for the police in the troubled regions of Tari, Komo, Magarima and Koroba. Komo-Magarima MP Alfred Kaiabe said that he was prepared to buy M16s and AR15s for the police in Tari to cover the three electorates during the elections because their equipment they had was "no match" against what the local people already had. Referring to his earlier letter of April 2 to Mr Kupo, Mr Kaiabe in another letter dated June 11 (a copy of which has been obtained by The National) wrote that the build-up of high powered guns in the electorates of Tari/Pori, Komo/Magarima and Koroba Lake Kopiago will certainly lead to trouble. Mr Kaiabe said that the signs were already ominous with the recent hostage problem in Koroba that resulted in the killing of a policeman and a villager. He said that candidates and politicians were behind the proliferation of these high powered guns. "I am sure your department has its own intelligence gathering network and you will realise that already one of the candidates for Komo-Magarima was caught at Tari airport four weeks ago while smuggling a high-powered SLR into Tari,'' he wrote. Members of the defence force together with a helicopter belonging to the police force will be deployed in Goroka for the one-day polling. Voting will then take place in Enga and then move on to the Southern Highlands. The army also will be dispatching two of its helicopters and a Casa plane. A source indicated that they will be on the look out for those who recently sent a letter to helicopter and airline companies warning of a "no fly zone" in the Hela area. Mr Kaiabe said that the Komo-Magarima electorate holds the infamous record of having the largest number of election petitions. This is because of the violence during previous elections including holding-up of ballot boxes, intimidating polling officials and grabbing ballot papers. He said that the problem was further compounded by the lack of government control or services in this trouble torn areas. He specifically named Hulia Beneria, Komo and parts of Magarima as hot spots for violence during the election. BAN PROBLEM INK FOR FUTURE POLLS (Post-Courier 21/6/02) THE so-called indelible ink used in the Papua New Guinea elections up till now is the cause of widespread double voting at the poll. It is a product that has outlived its purpose and should be totally banned from all future elections. Voters everywhere, especially in urban electorates, have made a mockery of the ink — easily erasing it from their fingers and then voting for a second and even the third time. In its post-mortem of the elections, we would hope that the Electoral Commission will seriously look at devising a more reliable system that will eliminate double voting and ensure voters do not cheat as they have in this election, particularly in Port Moresby. Perhaps the Government and the Electoral Commission should consider a system of issuing identification cards to urban voters so that only those with a card can be allowed to vote. The ID card should be issued after the voter has been confirmed registered as a voter on the Common Roll. There should also be a system in place to invalidate the ID card once the voter is given the ballot papers to cast his/her vote. As for the rural areas, a carefully thought- out system will have to be adopted. This general election has given rise to the urgency of a more effective system of registering voters. Perhaps the Common Roll should be ready and made available to the public at least two years prior to the next general elections so that anyone whose names are not on the roll can at least have a second chance to get themselves registered prior to the polls. We would suggest that 12 months before the start of the elections the roll be finalised and only those whose names are listed get to vote under a system that is fairer and does not allow for cheating — let alone threats and intimidation of officials. Papua New Guinea’s population is increasing rapidly and the pressure this is putting on our electoral system is different to that experienced in all past elections. We need a smarter, more accurate, efficient and crime-proof system that will ensure we have free, fair and democratic elections in the future. BALLOT HIJACK (Post-Courier 21/6/02) Officers forced to sign papers by armed men Anglimp/SOUTH Wahgi presiding officers were forced to sign ballot papers by armed men in a secluded area on Tuesday morning. A presiding officer who did not want to be identified for fear of his life, said he was with a colleague returning from Minz with ballot boxes in a police vehicle when they were ordered by supporters of a candidate to drive to a secluded area where they were told to sign ballot papers. He said this happened at a place when three policemen who were travelling with them had left them “at the mercy of the knife-wielding supporters”. The polling officer said he and his colleague had been tricked into taking a back road by a candidate and his supporters, who told them they would be held up by supporters of another candidate if they followed the main road. He said the candidate (named) and his supporters who had followed them from Minz told them supporters of another candidate were at the entrance to the polling site to stop ballot papers and boxes getting out. Together with the policemen, they followed another road but were soon told by the candidate and his supporters that they should walk from there with the ballot boxes because supporters of another candidate were ahead on the road. They claimed it was safer to walk with the boxes. The presiding officer said he objected, but the policemen agreed and helped to unload the ballot boxes. The policemen then drove off. The official said it was there that men with bushknives set up a polling booth, fenced the perimeters off with sticks and then ordered the officials to have the ballot papers signed. They soon changed their minds and moved the ballot papers and boxes into a coffee garden and then forced the officials to sign the ballots. Fearing for their lives, the two officials signed ballot papers until 7pm under a hurricane lamp light. The boxes were later taken in a truck to Kagamuga where they were loaded onto a police vehicle and taken to Mount Hagen, the officer said. In another incident, Samson Bama, Papen 2 polling station presiding officer in the Kending area said he and other polling officials were returning from Minz on Tuesday morning after picking up ballot boxes when the policeman driving their vehicle drove straight for Mount Hagen instead of Papen. Mr Bama said they were later dropped off about 500m from the road junction to Kending while the policemen took the boxes to Mount Hagen. They were advised to go back and conduct polling on Wednesday. When they did, supporters of a candidate using a truck “kidnapped’’ them, took them into the bush where they ordered him to sign the paper. He refused and escaped. CHAOTIC PNG POLL - DEMOCRACY THREAT by Brian Gomez (Reuters Limited 20/6/02) Democracy is under threat in Papua New Guinea's chaotic election, marred by violence, deaths, stolen ballot boxes, multiple voting and incomplete electoral rolls, the nation's media says. The South Pacific country's two main newspapers said violence and greed had robbed many voters of their democratic right to cast a vote in what Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta has called the most important election in the troubled country's history. "The national elections of a proudly independent country have been turned into a new form of tribal warfare," The National newspaper said in an editorial. The National said candidates who incited violence and intimidation against voters were "motivated solely by the lust for money, position and power" that comes with being a politician in the cash-strapped and corruption-riddled nation. The Post-Courier said in an editorial entitled "Democracy under threat at polls" that many candidates would contest the poll in court, but called for calm to allow votes to be cast in peace. "Reports of armed men forcibly removing ballot boxes from polling teams, physical attack and or threats against voters and even killings cast serious doubts on the integrity of the election results," the Post-Courier said. At least two people were killed in election violence in the remote Mount Hagen region on Tuesday. Port Moresby radio reported the death toll from election violence could be as high as five, with unconfirmed reports of three killings in Mount Hagen early on Wednesday. Mount Hagen police were unavailable for comment but a reporter in the town said he had not heard of any killings on Wednesday. PNG is a mineral-rich country to Australia's north but remains poor and under-developed, held back in the past five years by corruption, riots, army mutinies and tribal wars. Many of the country's 5.1 million people eke out a subsistence living and cling to centuries-old traditions. "TRAVESTY" DANGER Elections are beset by logistical problems due to the rugged terrain, remote polling stations and high numbers of candidates. A record 2,875 candidates representing 43 parties in 109 seats are contesting the 2002 poll. But this election is now looming as the worst since independence in 1975. Irregularities including long delays and missing ballot boxes and papers have been reported in almost every district since polls opened on Saturday. "Election 2002 is in danger of becoming a travesty," said The National. The National and The Post-Courier report a litany of irregularities, ranging from a 12-year-old boy on rolls arriving to vote, trucks of voters with ghost names and multiple voting. "What saddens me is...the faces of the voters in the queue trying to cast their votes...the expression of being sick of corruption," said Jay Pee in a letter to The Post-Courier. "Now is the time to weed out corruption but many are finding out that they cannot have a say because their names are not on the roll." Some polling stations have been destroyed so as to force voters to cast ballots in the open under the gaze of candidates and the fear of intimidation. One polling station consisted of three school desks, two plastic chairs and a rope perimeter. "Vote for the candidate of your choice at your physical peril courtesy of the cheap hoods who surround you," said The National. Even Morauta, who came to power in July 1999, was forced to wait five hours to cast his vote on Monday in his Port Moresby constituency where he faces 30 challengers. Counting in the capital started Wednesday and Morauta will know his fate on Thursday. Opinion polls have shown strong support for Morauta as prime minister but a long and complicated round of horse-trading and coalition-building is expected after voting ends on July 29. This is the seventh election since independence, but no government has ever served a full five-year term. Morauta said he was confident he could form a new government and urged voters to give him a new term so that he could go on with economic reforms including wide-ranging privatisation plans. POLICEMEN GO ON RAMPAGE AT GORDONS by John Dau (The National 19/6/02) ANGRY policemen went on a rampage and vented their frustrations on several candidates and their supporters outside the Gordon police station in Port Moresby yesterday. They fired live ammunition into the air and chased and bashed up the people who had gathered at the police station to complain about voting irregularities in the Moresby North-East electorate. Southern region police operations commander Matthew Minok, who was in the station at the time, was unable to control his heavily-armed men who were angered by claims that police were involved in vote-rigging and other illegal activities during polling in the NCD. The people were mainly supporters of Moresby North-East candidates, John Kaupa and Mek Onguglo, who were also at the police station to lay their complaints to Mr Minok and NCD returning officer Frank Gabi. The melee lasted for about six minutes during which time gunfire echoed throughout the Gordon suburb and surrounding areas. Bystanders in the busy market and shopping area were also forced to flee the scene but there were no reports of serious injury or damage to property. The rampage started after one of the candidates allegedly accused police of bringing three ballot boxes late to the police station after voting ended at midday. The candidate and his supporters alleged that police had tampered with the ballot boxes and papers. Mr Minok confirmed that three ballot boxes were brought to the station at 2pm in two police vehicles and a private car. Two policemen and the driver of the private car have been arrested, he said. Mr Minok said the candidate's claims would be investigated and the Electoral Commission would have to decide whether or not to accept three boxes. In another incident at Talapia settlement in Morata, unused ballot papers were burnt by disgruntled voters who turned up yesterday only to find that the polling booth had closed. NCD/Central commander Geoffrey Vaki said people were frustrated because polling had started late. However, all ballot boxes were safely escorted by police and electoral officers to the Waigani police station, he said. He added that the last serial numbers of ballot boxes were recorded and sealed and if people tampered with the boxes it would be easily identified during counting. Mr Vaki said police would continue to work around the clock to assist the Electoral Commission with transportation and security. TWO KILLED AT POLLS (Post-Courier 19/6/02) TWO men were reported dead and a returning officer was stabbed and in critical condition in election related violence in the Western Highlands yesterday. And all business has ground to a standstill in Mount Hagen town and surrounding areas. Provincial Police Commander Allan Kundi confirmed the death of one man in town while the other was reported shot dead in the Mul area of the province. The stabbing of North Wahgi Returning Officer Andrew Walep resulted in the suspending of polling in that area. The Post-Courier was reliably told that supporters of one candidate allegedly shot dead a supporter of another candidate in the Mul area. At the time Mr Kundi met the reporters, he had not received any reports on shooting at the Mul area. The other man was shot dead during a clash between supporters of two candidates for the Mount Hagen open seat. The Post-Courier was also told that the dead man was the supporter of one of the candidates. Electoral Commission officials yesterday confirmed the two deaths as well as the stabbing of Mr Walep. They said the body of the man shot in town has been admitted to the Mount Hagen Hospital morgue, while it was not clear last night where the body of the one killed in Mul was. Mr Walep was visiting polling booths in Banz when the incident happened. Electoral officials said he was at the Kimilti Tea Factory polling booth when he was stabbed. He was quickly airlifted to Kudjip Nazerene Hospital where he was reported to be in critical condition last night. Arrangements to fly him to Port Moresby were underway late last night. According to Mr Kundi, former South Waghi/Anglimp MP Kuk Kuli’s son held up policemen escorting ballot boxes back to Mount Hagen and made off with four boxes, two National and two LLG ones. The Police Chief said police re-enforcement later retrieved the ballot boxes and they were now in police custody and being disputed. He also said supporters of another candidate in the same electorate held up polling officials and policemen with firearms and walked off with three ballot boxes and ballot papers. To date, he said they were still outstanding and no-one knew where they were, and what was being done with them. Mr Kundi also confirmed the assault of a candidate for the Mount Hagen Open seat and identified him as Doctor John McKup. He said at the time Dr McKup came to lodge the complaint, one of his hands was in a sling. Mr Kundi also said Dr McKup complained that four vehicles were damaged, houses set on fire, two men admitted to the hospital and five others received wounds during clashes between his supporters and supporters of another candidate. Meanwhile, polling in the province will be extend to today in some parts of the province. Mr Kundi said in the Nebilyer area, there were not enough LLG ballot papers and the polling was delayed until today. He also said polling in the Jimi area started yesterday at 4 pm and will continue today. POST COURIER ELECTORAL HEADLINES This is a selection of electoral related headlines that appeared in the Post Courier on Monday 17/6/02 alone. Polling debacle Late funding forces delayed start to voting - POLLING did not start on time in many electorates in Papua New Guinea on Saturday because of late transfer of funds and late shipment of ballot papers. Morobe waits - THOUSANDS of voters in remote parts of Morobe Province may have to wait longer to be able to vote. Many of them were to have voted on Saturday but will now have to wait for at least another three days before they can cast their votes. Only 20 out of the 60 teams have actually travelled to polling locations by helicopters. The rest are still stranded in Lae or other pick-up points in the province. Aitape-Lumi ballot papers still in transit at Nadzab Polls delayed in Milne Bay - POLLING in some areas of the Milne Bay Province did not start at the weekend as planned because of funding problems. PM: Polls a ‘mess’ - “It’s going to be a mess,” Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta uttered as he walked out of the National Court yesterday. Bougainville polling hit by delay - POLLING in Bougainville was delayed for two days and did not start as scheduled on Saturday because of major problems affecting the electoral office operations. Stolen boxes found - WESTERN Highlands police have recovered 20 ballot boxes stolen in the Dei electorate. SHP want defence - SOUTHERN Highlands electoral manager Alwynn Jimmy yesterday called on Police Commissioner Joseph Kupo to call-out PNGDF soldiers to be deployed in the Southern Highlands. AIRCRAFT WARNED OF 'NO-GO' AREAS (Post-Courier 14/6/02) ANY aircraft that flies into the Koroba/Kopiago electorate during the polling period will be shot down, District Administrator of Koroba/Kopiago, Stanley Kotange warned. Mr Kotange sent the warning in a letter to various airline companies in the country, urging them not to allow their planes into his district. “I formally would like to advice your company against hiring your aircraft out to any of the 19 candidates in the above electorate, including the current sitting member . . . during the voting period commencing 15-29 June, 2002,” his letter read. He said this was because he had reports that the 19 candidates from the area had stockpiled high powered firearms which they intended to use during the elections. The firearms he described as ranging from AK47s, M16, M202, AK47, SLR and .303s will be used to keep a look out on individuals and supporters of other candidates. He said the people from the area have stated publicly that they would shoot at any aircraft that flies in and around Koroba/ Lake Kopiago. Hevi Lift in Mt Hagen said they were aware of the warning. But they said they do not have much operations in the province. Hevi Lift suffered from election-related violence in the Western Highlands last year when one of its helicopters had its windscreens broken and its pilot assaulted. Airlink, which conducts flights into the province from Mt Hagen, said they were not aware of the warning letter. But a staff member said they did receive a letter of warning from Miria Ume from the Office of Civil Aviation with regard to flights during election times. MAF, which also conducts flights into Tari, said they were aware of the warning. TWO REGIONS IN POLLING DOUBT (Post-Courier 14/6/02) ELECTION officials in two regions yesterday expressed fear polling may not start as planned tomorrow. This is because election officials in the two regions, the Highlands and the New Guinea Islands, had not received funds to allow them to start polling from tomorrow. Election managers in East and West New Britain and New Ireland said they were all set to go, but they had yet to receive funds for fuel and helicopter hire. East New Britain’s Tiane Openakali said the helicopter company engaged in the election had refused to fly polling officials and election material unless it was paid. A number of polling teams must be flown to inland Pomio to set up camp, he said. Manus’ Joe Hilarai said he needed money for fuel for dinghies to transport teams to scheduled polling places. Mr Hilarai said he would attempt to negotiate with Shell to supply fuel on credit, but doubted the company would agree given the Government’s record of long delays in settling its bills. Joap Woiwoi of West New Britain said he also needed money for fuel and helicopter hire. Mr Woiwoi said three polling teams must be flown to inland Kandrian and was hoping funds would come through today. Mr Woiwoi said, however, he may have to delay polling in those areas and go back when funds become available. In New Ireland, Edward Konu was also hoping funds for fuel would be received today. All election managers said some polling teams started moving out yesterday with the rest scheduled to leave today. In the Highlands region, three election managers expressed similar concerns as their Islands counterparts. Western Highlands is the first Highlands province to vote next Monday and election manager Kala Rawali said he had received ballot boxes but no money for vehicle and helicopter hire. Southern Highlands election manager Alwynn Jimmy said all ballot boxes were still sitting in the provincial capital Mendi. “We can not transport them out to the districts because we have not received any money yet.” This week, Electoral Commissioner Reuben Kaiulo warned the start of polling may be delayed following the Government diverting K4 million in election funds to the PNG Defence Force to pay for its involvement in the elections, a claim hotly denied by Chief Secretary Robert Igara. POLLS TOO RISKY FOR OBSERVERS (Post-Courier 3/6/02) PAPUA New Guinea is too risky for international election observers, according to the European Union. EU staff revealed in Arawa recently, their plans to engage election observers in the country have been scrapped because of security concerns. Delegation head Anthony Crasner told the Post-Courier during a recent visit to Bougainville that security concerns were the major reasons why plans to send in a team of observers for the 2002 national elections have been dropped by the EU. Mr Crasner said assurance from authorities in the country meant PNG was capable of handling the election. A high-powered European Commission team led by Elsa Fenet recently visited Port Moresby for consultation, dialogue and assessment with EU officials in Port Moresby on the issue of sending an observer team for the elections. Mr Crasner said the team prepared a report on the issue, following Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta’s recommendation for election observers to be allowed into the country. The team however after consulting EU member states, ruled out sending a team because they claimed it was “too risky’’ for their observers. They said Papua New Guinea was capable of controlling its elections. “... for European Union a full election observation is very complicated ...” Mr Crasner said. He said the EU welcomed the recommendation by the Prime Minister for observers to be invited but “our member states were consulted and they said it was too risky for our participation’’, Mr Crasner said. YOUTH SHOT OVER POSTER (Post-Courier 30/5/02) A youth is recovering at Modilon Hospital in Madang after being shot by a security guard for ripping down the poster of a candidate last week. Tom Brown, 21, from Chimbu Province, was shot in his right thigh and lower right leg after he was accused of ripping down the poster of the founder of Peoples Labour Party (PLP) Peter Yama, who is contesting the Usino Bundi seat. Provincial police commander Philip Solala confirmed there had been a shooting and said the matter was being investigated. Mr Solala said the guard accused of the shooting was now with Mr Yama campaigning in the Highlands, and when he returned action would be taken. Brown, who lives at Sisiak Three, said during the time of incident he was under the influence of alcohol. He said when he arrived home, he saw there were a lot of posters of different candidates pasted on his father’s trade store. This made him angry because he said that his father’s store was not a notice board for anyone to put up his or her posters. Mr Brown began pulling down posters of candidates and accidentally ripped part of Mr Yama’s poster. He said a PLP supporter took Yama’s poster from the store and went to the office and reported the matter. Mr Brown said the guard drove to Sisiak and demanded to know why he tore the candidate’s poster. He said the guard threw punches at him and then a fight broke out. The guard then allegedly took out his pistol and shot him in his thigh and Mr Brown fell to the ground. While he was on the ground, the guard fired a second shot at the lower part of the leg. The guard then took a piece of timber and hit Mr Brown on his wounded right leg. He said before the guard left he fired two more shots in the air and drove away in his vehicle. Mr Brown was rushed to the hospital and his wounded leg was operated on. K500,000 RANSOM DEMAND FOR POLICEMAN, CANDIDATE by Colin Taimbari (The National 21/5/02) THE UGLY face of Highlands politics became apparent over the weekend when one policeman and two tribesmen were shot dead, two policemen were seriously injured and an election candidate and two policemen were taken hostage by heavily armed Southern Highlands villagers. In the neighbouring Enga province, two teachers were among six men killed in a tribal fight in Wabag (See story on Page 3). Police Commissioner Joseph Kupo condemned the killing of his policeman, Constable Semai Kaiya; and appealed for the immediate release of the hostages. He also urged politicians not to involve his policemen in political activities (See story on Page 2). The Kamawi villagers of Koroba-Lake Kopiago electorate in Southern Highlands province are holding candidate Benias Peri and two policemen captive and are demanding K500,000 in compensation from the National Government for the shooting deaths of two of their tribesmen, allegedly by police. Candidate Peri - former provincial administrator of Southern Highlands and a Koroba-Lake Kobiago seat contestant -- was said to have been travelling with the Tari-based Squad 10 of the Highlands Police Mobile Unit when the trouble erupted. Police did not explain why a candidate was travelling with a police unit. Dismissed Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru went into the area over the weekend in a bid to negotiate the release of Mr Peri and the policemen, Constables Casper Maugler and Joseph Gaius. Const Maugler is suffering from a broken ankle and pellet wounds to his back and legs. Another policeman, Const Gideon Tui, from Nipa in Southern Highlands, who managed to escape with pellet wounds to his back, raised the alarm. Mr Agiru managed to walk into the area where the hostages are being held and talk with the captors and the hostages. He reported yesterday that they are alive and well. The three men and their heavily armed captors are in the treacherous ranges of Mount Hetawi. Mr Agiru visited them on Sunday and yesterday afternoon reported on the condition of Const Maugla. Const Tui has been flown to Porgera hospital for treatment. The body of Const Gaia, from Lake Murray in the Western province, was also flown to the Porgera hospital. Mr Agiru said the villagers warned that the three men would be killed if police tried to intervene. The three hostages have appealed to police and authorities not to rush to their rescue just yet.The Kamawi villagers are demanding K500,000 in compensation from the National Government for the deaths of two of their relatives, allegedly killed by police in a shoot-out that resulted in the killings of the policeman, the villagers and the injuries on Saturday. Police did not explain why Mr Peri was travelling with the Tari-based Police Mobile Squad 10 unit when the incident happened. Highlands regional police commander Chief Superintendent Alfred Reu is believed to have rushed to Tari yesterday to take charge of police operations and to help with negotiations to secure the release of his men. While condemning the killing of Const Kaiya, Police Commissioner Joseph Kupo yesterday appealed for the release of the other men. Mr Kupo also appealed to politicians to leave the police force alone so the members can perform their constitutional duties without any form of influence. Mr Agiru said the three men were being watched by more than 300 youths between 15 and 20 years old, who are armed with some of the most powerful and sophisticated weaponry he has ever seen. He said hopefully the three would be released on Wednesday when he returns to negotiate and he has invited the media to go and see for themselves the type of weapons used by the villagers. "They are being held by relatives of those two men killed by police and I confirm that they are being held by (named MP's) clansmen and relatives," he said. "I told them we will resolve things in the customary way because the villagers have just buried their two brothers and are in mourning, and right now, my efforts are to release the three men." He said that access to Koroba has been blocked by trees felled across the road by relatives fearing retaliation by police. The Tari people had mobilised to attack the captors and free the hostages but were restrained by Mr Agiru, who in turn was being stopped by his people from trekking to Koroba as his life was also in danger but he told them he had no choice. Mr Agiru said the three men could have been chopped to death on Saturday had the villagers ignored earlier calls by him through messengers, that he was on his way and they should not harm the hostages. He said the three men had tears in their eyes when they say him and their call for police not to retaliate right away has been passed on to the police station commander in Mendi. Mr Agiru said after the three men have been released, police should go in, investigate and bring to justice those responsible. He thanked Kamawi villager leader Yawas Komiabe and his brothers for putting up a human shield around the three hostages to allow time for him to reach them. Mr Agiru thanked God that even his enemies respected and listened to him when he asked them not to kill the three men. VIOLENCE BREAKS OUT IN HIGHLANDS (Post-Courier 16/5/02) POLITICALLY related violence has erupted in two of the Highlands provinces. In the Kagua/Erave electorate, a candidate contesting the seat allegedly drove into the path of another candidate’s vehicle, told his supporters to kill the driver and burn the vehicle while a police unit based in Kagua watched from a distance. In the Western Highlands, former Dei MP Melchior Pep reported that he was assaulted at his rally by supporters of another candidate. Western Highlands police chief Allan Kundi said Mr Pep had reported the incident which allegedly happened last week and his men were investigating. Kagua-Erave candidate Jimi Girita told reporters in Mount Hagen that the other candidate (named) fired two rounds from a pump-action shotgun into the air before using his loudhailers to direct his supporters to kill his driver and burn the vehicle. Driver Andy Yamu, nursing injuries allegedly sustained during that attack on Monday, said bush knives were swung at him but he was able to avoid them from the driver’s seat until a man climbed onto the back of the stationary vehicle and hit him with rock on the head, which knocked him out for a while. He said the incident happened at the Erave station next to the district office in broad daylight, soon after he had dropped off Mr Girita at his house. He said he was driving back to his village when the other candidate blocked the road and ordered that he (Yamu) drive his vehicle into the left-hand drain. Mr Yamu said he indicated that he was on his side and that the other candidate had the right side to drive through. He said when he did not do as he was ordered, the candidate discharged two rounds and supporters of Mr Girita, who were on the back of the truck, ran in all directions for cover and that is when the order to kill was given. Mr Yamu said when he did not move, a councilor (named) who was with the candidate came out of the candidate’s vehicle and directed that he drive the vehicle into the drain. He said he was later knocked unconscious and when the candidate saw him dragged out of the vehicle, which was then over-turned, he (candidate) directed that they leave him alone. Mr Yamu also said a police patrol vehicle was five vehicles behind the other candidate and watched what was happening and did nothing. Mr Girita said he reported the matter to Mount Hagen police yesterday, who are also investigating the reported attack on Mr Pep. In other incidents, four men were killed on Sunday morning in the upper Karanze area of Southern Highlands and three women were raped in Mendi. Provincial police chief Nema Mondia said reports he received indicate these incidents were unrelated to politics and that it was related to recent tribal warfare in that part of the area. Mr Mondia said the men were returning from a dance put on by a candidate when they were ambushed by enemy tribesmen and slaughtered. He said attempts for his men to go into the area were unsuccessful due to a landslide cutting off that part of the area. As for the rape, he said police know the identity of the men and were working on these cases. SHOTS FIRED IN ENGA CAMPAIGN (Post-Courier 1/5/02) A DAIS set up for a political rally in the Ambum valley, Enga Province, was destroyed and a couple of shots fired from a high-powered firearm. Sources said supporters of a candidate pulled down the dais set for the Enga Governor Peter Ipatas’ rally at the Yampu, the home of candidates for the Regional seat John Pundari and Jeffery Balakau. This was confirmed by Mr Ipatas yesterday in Mount Hagen, but he said his supporters had persisted and re-built it. Mr Ipatas also confirmed that shots were fired on Sunday during a scuffle between his supporters and supporters of another candidate. He said last week he would ask his opponents to tell the people of Enga what they would do that he was not doing for them. Meanwhile, a candidate in the Kagua Erave electorate said fire arms were smuggled into the electorate and he feared for a troublesome election. |
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