Senior NCD Electoral Officers Caught

The two senior NCD electoral officers implicated for transporting huge sums of money and ballot boxes will be released to sort out polling for NCD.

NCD Chief Metropolitan Superintendent Ben Turi said that formal charges will be laid after polling while investigations are still continuing.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato responded that he will consider whether to sideline these officers involved.

Two senior electoral officers from NCD were caught by police transporting huge sum of money and ballot boxes at different locations in Port Moresby this morning.

NCD Election Manager Terence Hetinu was caught in possession of K184,000 cash and a document of agreement between him and an NCD candidate. While his assistant, Roselyn Tabogani was caught transporting ballot boxes in a vehicle with tinted windows.

NCD-Central Commander Chief Superintendent Sylvester Kalaut confirmed that they were in possession of the cash and ballot boxes.

NCD Chief Metropolitan Superintendent Ben Turi commended his men for apprehending these suspects. Turi urged police officers to refrain from engaging in corrupt deals with candidates.

The officers were released from custody this afternoon because of polling, after being detained and interrogated by CID at Boroko Police Station.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato, while responding to the allegations, said he will consider whether or not to sideline his officers.

Meanwhile, investigations are continuing and charges will be laid against them after polling ends on Friday.