The people of Simbu are protesting against the Electoral Commission’s decision to have the recount of the Simbu Provincial seat in Lae instead of in Simbu or nearby provinces.
This comes after the Waigani Court ordered a recount of the seat after ruling in favour of an election petition filed by former Simbu Governor Noah Kool against the win of Governor Michael Dua in the 2017 General Election.
The people claim that the decision to move the venue was solely the Electoral Commission’s and did not involve the courts.
They claim officials from the Commission and some security personnel attempted to move the ballot papers from the Kundiawa Police Station to Lae last week Monday (26 December, 2018), without prior advice to the Provincial Government
Simbu Police Commander, Jacob Sigura said the people have already presented a petition to the Commission regarding the venue; however are yet receive a response.
Therefore, they are currently protesting by camping outside Kundiawa Police Station demanding that the venue be changed.
The people say the attempt by the Commission has raised suspicions.
