Disgruntled common roll agents in Jiwaka Province closed the Electoral Office at Banz town today after learning that there is no money in the account.
Jiwaka Provincial Election Manager, Rosi Pandi clarified to the media that the allowances were deposited into the Provincial Treasury Account and their operational account.
The allowance for the agents is K20,000 that needs to be paid by the Electoral Commission.
Pandi deposited the cheque payment on Monday, but was asked by a commercial bank to get clearance from the Provincial Treasurer.
” This is unusual to get clearance for this amount,” Pandi said.
She said as the principal signatory, she does not need any clearance for cheques below K50,000.
Those who also showed their frustration today were service providers.
Their cheques are ready but there is no money to draw from.
Others who missed out also are Returning Officers and their assistants.
Another concern raised was the cutting down of counting days from 21 days to 10 days.
Returning officers felt this year would be a risky election especially for the Highlands if the counting days are reduced.
They also questioned why the Provincial Government and Local Level Government did not give counter-funding for the Provincial Electoral Office to run the election.
The officers predict that this election will fail if debts are not settled quickly and appropriately.
Assistant returning officers were concerned of their lives in which they are not allowed to use a vehicle during the nomination period.
