by CHARLIE CLYDE TIKARO
Southern Highlands Regional Candidate Daniel Tulapi made specific reference to Section 130 (b) of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments and pronounced Ialibu-Pangia polling on Sunday 2 July 2017 as unlawful (illegal).
The response to Tulapi's call by Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato in today's The National is very shallow and insubstantial. Gamato said he would have to check with his lawyers first before commenting on this matter.
Does that mean that the polling on Sunday was conducted without his knowledge? If so, then it can be concluded safely that the Ialibu-Pangia polling or election process has been hijacked or compromised by someone in the middle. Could it be his deputy, SHP Election Manager or Ialibu-Pangia Returning Officer? It's anyone's guess.
Realistically, I don't think Gamato was unaware of Ialibu-Pangia polling because the entire media outlets announced it since Peter O'Neill will vote as the Prime Minister.
So if Gamato is aware of Sunday's Ialibu-Pangia polling, why did he snubbed his lawyers for consultation to seek legal interpretation at the first instant, knowing awfully well that it will be unusual (uncommon) to allow polling to go ahead on Sunday?
The Organic Law is very specific and spelt out clearly that there shouldn't be any polling conducted on weekend (Saturday and Sunday) and public holidays. And polling must start at 8am and end at 6pm.
You cannot create your own laws to sanction polling to go ahead on Sunday. Failing to observe and operate within the confinement of the existing laws only shows your immaturity and incompetency to serve as Electoral Commissioner.
When the court nullifies and declare Ialibu-Pangia election as fail, the Electoral Commission will pork out another millions to conduct new polling. That's how costly it will be for one irresponsible action to detour lawyer's advice.
The question is/will be - who will be blamed for this mass?
Attached below:
The National Newspaper article - "The first seat to be declared in 2017 election will be Ialibu-Pangia seat. You mark my words" - Prime Minister Peter O'Neill declared that to the people of Oro during one of his selected trip.
The response to Tulapi's call by Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato in today's The National is very shallow and insubstantial. Gamato said he would have to check with his lawyers first before commenting on this matter.
Does that mean that the polling on Sunday was conducted without his knowledge? If so, then it can be concluded safely that the Ialibu-Pangia polling or election process has been hijacked or compromised by someone in the middle. Could it be his deputy, SHP Election Manager or Ialibu-Pangia Returning Officer? It's anyone's guess.
Realistically, I don't think Gamato was unaware of Ialibu-Pangia polling because the entire media outlets announced it since Peter O'Neill will vote as the Prime Minister.
So if Gamato is aware of Sunday's Ialibu-Pangia polling, why did he snubbed his lawyers for consultation to seek legal interpretation at the first instant, knowing awfully well that it will be unusual (uncommon) to allow polling to go ahead on Sunday?
The Organic Law is very specific and spelt out clearly that there shouldn't be any polling conducted on weekend (Saturday and Sunday) and public holidays. And polling must start at 8am and end at 6pm.
You cannot create your own laws to sanction polling to go ahead on Sunday. Failing to observe and operate within the confinement of the existing laws only shows your immaturity and incompetency to serve as Electoral Commissioner.
When the court nullifies and declare Ialibu-Pangia election as fail, the Electoral Commission will pork out another millions to conduct new polling. That's how costly it will be for one irresponsible action to detour lawyer's advice.
The question is/will be - who will be blamed for this mass?
Attached below:
The National Newspaper article - "The first seat to be declared in 2017 election will be Ialibu-Pangia seat. You mark my words" - Prime Minister Peter O'Neill declared that to the people of Oro during one of his selected trip.
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