THERE have been widespread delays and issues
with the electoral roll but Commonwealth election observers are also
concerned with the rise of money politics and how voting has played out
in the Highlands provinces.
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| Commonwealth Observer Group chairperson Edward Natapei. |
Commonwealth Observer Group chairperson Edward Natapei said many voting anomalies occurred in the highland regions.
“Most of the polling stations we visited did not provide for the secrecy of the ballot, with voting taking place in public and often being done by polling officials or even by candidates or scrutinisers on behalf of voters,” he said.
“Our teams also saw multiple voting, ‘bloc’ voting and apparently underage voters in a number of locations.”
The giveaway spree of various campaigning efforts did not go unnoticed.
Natapei said concerns were raised about the widespread reported attempts by candidates to bribe voters directly, “on a scale far greater than ever before”.
“The group encourages the further strengthening and enforcement of laws relating to campaign financing, bribery, treating and undue influence,” he said.
Of the various polling delays, which even occurred in Port Moresby electorates, Natapei found many cases were caused by late distribution of polling materials and personnel, tardy payment of allowances to officials and security forces and failures in logistics planning.
“Commonwealth observers sometimes detected a lack of urgency to ensure that the polling schedule was met,” he said.
“Attention needs to be given to the further strengthening of election management, including refining the systems for delegated authority to the provincial and district levels, to ensure the necessary efficiency, oversight and accountability for a timely and effective poll.”
But the issues with electoral rolls caused the most dismay.
“The widespread disenfranchisement of citizens of Papua New Guinea who wished to vote is a serious problem that must be addressed through a more reliable and efficient voter registration and electoral roll management system, including the incorporation of some form of voter identification and better measures for verification and redress during polling,” Natapei said.
“This issue has been repeatedly raised during past elections in Papua New Guinea, including by Commonwealth observer groups.
“It must be addressed as an urgent priority following the 2012 election.”
The Commonwealth observers will continue to monitor the ongoing vote counting processes.
Natapei praised the new system for digital transmission of results from counting centres to the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission – which aids media coverage.
“Most of the polling stations we visited did not provide for the secrecy of the ballot, with voting taking place in public and often being done by polling officials or even by candidates or scrutinisers on behalf of voters,” he said.
“Our teams also saw multiple voting, ‘bloc’ voting and apparently underage voters in a number of locations.”
The giveaway spree of various campaigning efforts did not go unnoticed.
Natapei said concerns were raised about the widespread reported attempts by candidates to bribe voters directly, “on a scale far greater than ever before”.
“The group encourages the further strengthening and enforcement of laws relating to campaign financing, bribery, treating and undue influence,” he said.
Of the various polling delays, which even occurred in Port Moresby electorates, Natapei found many cases were caused by late distribution of polling materials and personnel, tardy payment of allowances to officials and security forces and failures in logistics planning.
“Commonwealth observers sometimes detected a lack of urgency to ensure that the polling schedule was met,” he said.
“Attention needs to be given to the further strengthening of election management, including refining the systems for delegated authority to the provincial and district levels, to ensure the necessary efficiency, oversight and accountability for a timely and effective poll.”
But the issues with electoral rolls caused the most dismay.
“The widespread disenfranchisement of citizens of Papua New Guinea who wished to vote is a serious problem that must be addressed through a more reliable and efficient voter registration and electoral roll management system, including the incorporation of some form of voter identification and better measures for verification and redress during polling,” Natapei said.
“This issue has been repeatedly raised during past elections in Papua New Guinea, including by Commonwealth observer groups.
“It must be addressed as an urgent priority following the 2012 election.”
The Commonwealth observers will continue to monitor the ongoing vote counting processes.
Natapei praised the new system for digital transmission of results from counting centres to the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission – which aids media coverage.
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