PNG NATIONAL GENERAL ELECTIONS 2022 - SUPPORTERS DESTROY BOXERS IN RAKAMANDA

 

Maramuni Ballot Boxes Destroyed

 

Action in Wabag Town yesterday.

BY FRANK RAI

Four ballot boxes containing ballot papers and election materials for Maramuni local level government (LLG) in Wabga district of Enga province were destroyed by supporters of a candidate at Rakamanda village outside Wabag town yesterday.

 
The same also happened at the heart of Wabag town around the Sakales area in the morning when locals who claim to be supporters of various candidates attempted to block off the road to stop the ballot papers from being transported.
 
Wabag District Returning Officer George Puiyo said yesterday that the supporters attacked the vehicle transporting 15 ballot boxes to Wapendamanda Airport to be airlifted to Maramuni government station.
 
Mr Puiyo said the ballot boxes contained both Enga Regional (Governor) and Wabag Open seats with election materials.
 
He said the vehicles were in a convoy with security personnel when locals at Rakamanda village blocked off the main Highlands Highway with logs, rocks and attacked the truck transporting the ballot papers.
 
“Four ballot boxes were destroyed in the attack but unfortunately no one sustained any injuries. The truck was stoned and badly damaged. Candidates need to educate their supporters that these ballot boxes not only contain ballot papers for the Open Seat but also for the Regional Seat as well,” Mr Puiyo said.
 
“Other election materials are also stored in these boxes. At the polling stations, the ballot papers are put into two separate boxes for counting. We will organize tomorrow (today) and still transport the ballot boxes to Maramuni,” he added.
 
The Wabag RO did not disclose whether the four damaged ballot boxes will be replaced but confirmed that the remaining 11 ballot boxes will still be transported to the respective polling sites in Maramuni.
 
Mr Puiyo said supporters and scrutineers staged a protest in the morning calling for the Provincial Election Steering Committee to postpone polling to today (Friday).
 
He said they were in the process of transporting the ballot boxes following flight schedule from the helicopter companies when the convoy was attacked.