Polling nearing completion in Usino-Bundi bye- election

Polling for the Usino-Bundi bye- election is expected to be completed today.

Gama Local Level Government was the first to complete polling with all its six polling teams back at Walium whilst Bundi LLG had its last team extracted yesterday.

For Usino LLG, the last team is currently polling at Walium today.

Speaking from Walium yesterday afternoon, Baiyo said polling has been so far, so good; despite one or two incidences that police have promptly addressed.

On Tuesday, however; there was another incident involving a polling official from Team 2 for the Usino LLG, who removed 300 unmarked ballot papers from a polling location at Kesewai and used them at another polling area at Dumpu.

The Returning Officer revealed there were 450 ballot papers issued for Kesewai, however; only a hundred and fifty were used, whilst the rest were moved to Dumpu by the polling official.

Mr Baiyo confirmed the total ballot papers issued for Dumpu was 1, 200, and the insertion of the extra 300 would have bumped up the figure to 1, 500.

The cheating polling official was caught out when officials were doing the check and balance on the team’s returns upon the conclusion of polling that day.

According to the Returning Officer, polling should conclude tomorrow with the last polling team at Walium Station.

Meanwhile, preparation for counting has started at the Opotio Rimoru Hall at Walium, despite a request in writing by the Provincial Police Commander to the Electoral Commission for counting to be moved to Madang Town for various reasons, including the lack of electricity supply at Walium and security.

The Provincial Election Steering Committee, the committee overseeing the exercise and which the Provincial Administrator chairs, is yet to make a respond to the PPC’s request.

Counting is expected to start on Tuesday evening.