Acting Election Manager for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Desmond Timiyaso said ballot boxes locked at the Tinputz Police Station must be released today at the close of business.
Failure to do so is that these ballot boxes will not be counted.
Timiyaso issued the warning after service providers in Suir of North Bougainville protested over unpaid dues for the 2012 National Elections and the 2015 ABG Elections.
They demanded K73, 000 be paid before these ballot boxes for teams 92 through to 100 from Suir are released.
The aggrieved service providers have locked the ballot boxes at the Tinputz Police Station.
“If service providers still insist on the outstanding payments, we will not count these ballot boxes if not released at close of business today,” Timiyaso said.
However Timiyaso said the matter has been raised to the attention of the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission and hopes to receive a favourable response today.
Timiyaso has called on all service providers to release these boxes and tasked the Returning Officer for North Bougainville and Assistance Returning Officer to liaise and address this matter.
