Friday, September 20, 2013

New councillors in Banz confused over legitimacy



  Post Courier


TWENTY one declared councillors in Banz Local Level Government (LLG) in Jiwaka Province are calling on election manager Rossie Pandi to clarify whether they are legitimate councillors.
The councillors’ spokesperson, Robert Anamp, of Kendu ward 2, said during the councillors gathering in Banz yesterday that they were confused whether the old councillors or the newly-declared councillors would remain as councillors till the supplementary election.
“I ask the election manager to come out and explain this to the councillors,” he said.
Molka ward 1 councillor Mark Nombrol said the election manager was nowhere to be found to put their queries to her. He challenged the Ms Pandi to come out and explain to the public.
Kuiona ward 2 councillor Peter Kis explained that there were two different LLGs in the North Waghi electorate – Nondgul LLG and Banz LLG. LLG election in Banz was declared as failed but in reality there were no serious problems with Banz LLG.
“We have already signed the writ after we were declared so we are the rightful councillors,” he said.
He said Nondgul LLG faced some major problems during voting and counting period and everyone was aware of it but it wasn’t declared as failed and counting and declaration done.
The councillors threatened legal action if there is a supplementary election.
Jiwaka provincial civil society and chairman of anti-corruption Peter Marang said Banz LLG’s newly elected councillors deserved the seats because during the counting and voting no serious problems were faced.
Mr Marang said if a supplementary election was to be conducted in Jiwaka, then they must conduct elections for the president’s seat only. He said it was likely that supplementary elections would stir violence and chaos in the new province and called for the Electoral Commission to give due consideration to this likely results.
He said national politics should not creep into LLG election in Banz.

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