More Failed Elections Declared For Highlands Region

 

 

 Em Tv News

 

The Electoral Commissioner, on the eve of the return of writs for the 2013 LLG elections, has announced four more failed elections for the Highlands region.

 

North and south Koroba LLGs in the Lake Kopiago district, Hayapuga LLG in the Tari district and Erave LLG were declared failed elections by the commissioner yesterday.

These LLGs are in the Hela and Southern Highlands Provinces.

 

This brings the total number of LLGs declared failed for the 2013 LLG elections in the Highlands region to 24.

 

“The reasons for failing the five LLG’s are as follows;

• hijacking of ballot papers and ballot boxes,
• illegal signing of ballot papers by candidate’s supporters or agents,
• kidnapping of electoral and security officials by the supporters,
• destruction of ballot boxes and ballot papers, and
• Violence resulting in deaths of citizens.”

The commissioner said he has advised the Minister for Inter Government relations and the Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion accordingly.

 

Mr. Trawen said police have been given directives to stop any polling gatherings in these LLGs.

 

“I made my position clear and failed the elections…whatever they are doing now is illegal and I will not recognise and will not return the writs to the minister…and that’s final,” he said.

 

The commissioner also announced that he has signed instruments to extend the date for return of writs for the Hela, Madang and Jiwaka provinces.

 

Mr. Trawen said he has approved the 7-day extension from August 6th to September 6.