The Electoral Commission has called on aggrieved candidates inthe Morobe Local Level Government Elections to report cases of intimidation tothe police andthe Commission.
The Commission was responding to allegations this week that ballot boxes fromthe elections in Lae were illegally removerd andthe papers marked by supporters.
The Morobe Election Manger, Simon Sinai, says that allthe alleged claims will be investigated to verifythe facts.
“Due tothe severity and sensitivity ofthese claims, it is important that proper investigation must be conducted for us to verify, and thus appropriate actions be taken,” said Sinai.
Sinai also said that proper reports tothe Lae Electoral Commission office andthe police will allowthe investigations to proceed.
Candidates from Betibum in Lae are planning to initiate legal proceedings againstthe Electoral Commission afterthe presiding officer failed to sign off onthe ballot papers.
On Monday, sitting Lord Mayor James Khay said boxes had been tampered with, in two locations andthe ballot papers marked by supporters of rival candidates.
“Firstly,they hijackedthe ballot papers, whichthey marked one for their candidate andthey returnedthem back for ther voters to mark two and three for ther candidates”, said Khay.
The Electoral is appealing tothe general public to cooperate with respective electoral officers, as counting proceeds.
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