Election manager arrested

Election manager arrested

Source: The National, 

 
By JEFFREY ELAPA

A SENIOR election official in the Southern Highlands has been arrested by police in Mt Hagen for smuggling ballot boxes for Chimbu province with an undisclosed amount of alcohol .
Military intelligence reports from Mendi revealed that provincial election manager David Wakias was arrested when he was caught with ballot boxes marked for Chimbu packed with alcohol, an unlicensed pistol and more than K200,000 cash.
The unconfirmed report said Wakias escorted by defence force officers went to pick up the election materials in Mt Hagen and upon instructions from the military escort team, the convoy vehicles was to drive out together.
However, Wakias decided to drive out by himself early leaving the convoy of vehicles behind.
The security force officers became suspicious and advised the police to search his vehicle.
The report stated that when he was searched, police found about five ballot boxes for Chimbu in the vehicle and an undisclosed amount of alcohol in the boxes, a pistol and more than K200,000 in his procession.
He was arrested by police in Mt Hagen but the source could not confirm his charges.
“His action of trying to smuggle the ballot boxes of Chimbu and a huge sum of money in his possession seems suspicious and needs to be investigated further,” the source said.
Attempts to contact the Provincial police commander Teddy Tei were unsuccessful.
Acting provincial administrator Unbia Kembo confirmed that Wakias was arrested.
Meanwhile chairman of the provincial election steering committee, Dr Bravy Koensong who also received the news said that if the allegations were true then, the Electoral Commission should send a replacement election manager immediately to the pro­vince.
Minister for Works and member for Imbonggu, Francis Awesa, who also received the news from Mendi condemned the action.
He described it as a serious threat to the democratic process of election.
Therefore, a remedial action has to be taken by the electoral commission and the national government immediately.
Awesa said such actions should not be allowed to disrupt election process as it was a threat to democracy and free and fair election in PNG.