Madang News Repost

18/08/2022

18/08/2022

Exclusion #32 is underway.
Stephen Ian Asivo bows out with 30,851.
MADANG, we will have a new Governor soon.
.

17/08/2022

NBC NEWS
NATIONAL COURT REFUSES PETER YAMA'S APPLICATION

The Waigani National court has refused sitting Madang Governor, Peter Yama's urgent application seeking suspension of the Madang Regional seat counting.

The court further refused a restraining order against police from interfering with the electoral process for the Madang Regional seat counting.

Amongst his arguments, Mr. Yama alleged that the conduct of the counting of ballot boxes and papers for electorates in the Madang Province has been done under very questionable circumstances.

Justice Joseph Yagi, however, ruled that no serious questions of fact and or law were raised in the proceeding, and most of the evidence deposed to by Mr. Yama, are hearsay and mere assumptions and opinions.

Amongst the orders sought in the interim was to restrain the local policemen and the MS 13 or NMG contingent from Northern Command Police and other police personnel under the Command of the Provincial Police Commander Madang and the Commander Northern Command from entering the actual counting room for the Madang Regional Seat.

He had alleged that the police are interfering in the counting areas and controlling the counting and restricting scrutineers from conducting proper scrutiny.

Police Commissioner David Manning was named as the only Defendant in the matter.

The lawyer representing the defendant, Solicitor General Tauvasa Tanuvasa opposed the application arguing there are no serious questions to be tried and the balance of convenience does not favour the grant of an injunction.

Mr. Tanuvasa had also argued that the entire proceeding is incompetent because the proceeding seeks to interfere with the powers and functions of the Electoral Commission.

NBC News- Eric Tamaan/Cashmir Waken

14/08/2022

Madang Regional Counting has proceeded to a second quality check.

They commenced this second quality check on Friday 12th of August, 2022.

This was commenced by Madang Regional Counting officials under the instructions of Madang Provincial Elections Manager Sponsa Navi, and his Assistant Provincial Returning Officer, Albert Ului.

What they are intending to do is recheck and re-score all individual candidates' votes.

Upon completion of our first quality check, we distributed all individual candidates' First Preferences votes (ballot papers) to each of their individual ballot boxes. If a candidate had more first preference votes (ballot papers), the more ballot boxes he/she had.

So far, candidate 37, Ramsey Pariwa had the most number of votes therefore, had 12 boxes to fill his ballot boxes. Therefore, because Distribution of all ballots had already gone to each specific candidate, we have now, in Counting, each candidate already holding in their respective ballot boxes their respective first Preferences of votes.

We underwent this first quality check for 8 days begining on Wednesday, the 3rd of August 2022 and ending at 4:32pm on Thursday, the 11th of August 2022. We had been advised that all candidates' totals and overall balances were affirmed but when we were called in to begin Eliminations on Friday, the 12th of August 2022, at 11AM in the morning, it was visible to all of us scrutineers that Mr. Ului and none of his officers had in possession the Returns for each District.

We proceeded to eliminate the first candidate, candidate 29, Wesley Sanarup, but after distribution of his votes, it was found that the total of his distributed votes was over the total number of votes by 50 papers. Sanarup, according to the Electoral Commission had finished with 447 votes. But according to the real count Distribution of ballot papers, we distributed 497 of this candidate's papers. But our disagreement was that according to our scrutineer Quality Check tallies, c

07/08/2022

MADANG OPEN ELECTION UPDATE:

Bryan Kramer retains Madang Open seat after the 41st elimination reaching 28,124 votes which is 50.24% of the active votes.

Declaration and signing of writs to be announced soon.

06/08/2022

SUMKAR OPEN ELECTION UPDATE:

Alexander Suguman Orme wins SUMKAR open seat at 5:23pm today (6/08/2022).

04/08/2022

MADANG PROVINCE | USINO-BUNDI

Over 200 men believed to be supporters of candidates in the Usino-Bundi District were arrested this morning by police.

Provincial Police Commander Acting Superintendent Rubiang Manzuc told the men were detained at the Walium Police station after disrupting counting yesterday evening.

Meanwhile counting at the counting center expected to be completed and declaration made this afternoon.

PPC Manzuc also warned supporters in the other counting centers in Madang to not disrupt the election process.

The 211 supporters were transported to Madang to be detained at Beon Jail due to the limited capacity at Jomba Police Station. This is the biggest arrest for Madang during the election period.

Source: Inside PNG.

04/08/2022

Bogia Open Election Update:

Pangi Pati candidate Robert Naguri retains his seat as the member elect for Bogia Open.

04/08/2022

Bogia Open Election Update.
4th August, 2022. 2:22pm.

After exclusion 34th - Darius Kombe, the progressive results are;

1. Robert Naguri - 15633
2. David Wama - 12148
3. Kene Muna - 4620

Absolute majorit stands at 16201 therefore 35th exclusion continues with Kene Muna.

Source: Counting Room.

03/08/2022

MADANG LIKELY TO SEEK EXTENSION

Wednesday 3 August 2022

Madang Province is likely to ask for another extension of the counting period to allow two or three districts that are still counting to complete this process.

Provincial Election Manager Sponsa Navi said this today, as the extended time for the Return of Writs draws near.

When asked if he was sure to return all seven writs for Madang Province this Friday, Mr. Navi said he was not sure if Madang can achieve that.

He said he was not positive due to the many interruptions to the counting process since last week by election officials, candidates and scrutineers.

Mr. Navi pointed out one of the main reasons for the holdup to the process is election allowance grievances by counting officials, most of whom also participated in polling and were yet to be paid.

The Election Manager further stated that while he's positive to complete counting in time for the Return of Writs, the onus is on the counting officials.

Mr. Navi also revealed that only two electorates were nearing completion of the counting process today - Bogia and Usino/Bundi.

He said Bogia is expected to make a declaration tonight and Usino/Bundi most likely tomorrow.

NBC News - Anisah Issimel

31/07/2022

Sumkar Electorate Election
Update: 30th July, 2022. 4:23pm

Top 10 Votes Accumulated in each LLG.

30/07/2022

Middle Ramu Election
Update: 31st July, 2022. 7:03am

Top 10 Votes Accumulated in each LLG.

30/07/2022

Middle Ramu Open.
Top 10
Updated: 29th July, 2022. 4:19am

30/07/2022

Rai Coast Open.
Top 10
Updated: 30th July, 2022. 12:26am

29/07/2022

Haiveta, Yama Recommended For Queen's Award.

29th July, 2022

MADANG Governor Peter Yama and Gulf Governor Chris Haiveta have been recommended for awards in the Queen’s Birthday Imperial Honours and Awards, says acting official secretary to Governor General Bill Toraso.
Toraso said the recommendation had since been sent to Buckingham Palace, England for approval.
He said once approval had been given, the appropriate awards and titles would be awarded to the two governors.
“The process for nomination for awards under Imperial Honours and Awards for Yama and Haiveta was done and sent to London awaiting final approval.
“Once approval is given, both governors will be notified to receive their awards with the appropriate titles,” he said.
Toraso said this to clarify a recent media report that referred to Yama as Sir Peter even though he was not awarded a knighthood by the governor-general.

29/07/2022

MADANG PROVINCIAL
Votes accumulated in each districts.
Update: 29th July, 2022.

27/07/2022

Madang Provincial
(Top 5)
Updated: 27th July, 2022. 4:01pm

1. Ramsey Pariwa (PFP) - 15,243
2. Jerry Singirok (Pangu) - 11,083
3. Stephen Asivo (Ind) - 10,342
4. Peter Yama (PLP) - 9554
5. Benny Panti (AP) - 8541

2022 National Election - Preliminary Results

27/07/2022

Rai Coast Open.
(Top 5)
Astrolabe Bay LLG.
Count 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

1. Chris Yanam - 1047
2. Emil Gamog - 1046
3. Bidd Pamaraka - 683
4. Kessy Sawang - 534
5. David Gau - 508

Source: Counting Room

26/07/2022

Rai Coast To Begin Counting
By Sylvester Wemuru.
26th July, 2022. 11:06am
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Counting of ballot papers for Rai Coast is scheduled to start today at the Madang United Church. Counting officials will begin with the first five ballot boxes for the Open seat, and the first five for the Regional Seat.

Police personnel overseeing security at the counting venue said counting officials had the place set up yesterday so they can get started today.

Rai Coast District security contingent commander Inspector Steven Yalamu added that the marked ballot boxes stored at Jomba police station have bee transported to the counting venue.

Inspector Yalamu said Rai Coast District completed polling late and they are running out of time. He hopes they will be able to complete counting in time for the return of election writs.
Nayudo LLG was the last of Rai Coast Constituencies to finish polling last week.

This news room also confirmed that counting for Madang Opoen, which was suspended on Sunday 24th July, will resume today. Counting for Bogia, Sumkar and Usino Bundi is progressing well, while counting for Middle Ramu started yesterday.

26/07/2022

Votes For Yali to be Disregarded:
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The National Online: 25th July, 2022

PRIMARY counting for Madang regional seat has started following clear instructions by the Electoral Commission to disregard any ballot paper with barred candidate James Yali as a preference.
Madang election manager Sponsa Navi said Yali was listed as ineligible to contest due to prior criminal conviction.
“Commissioner Simon Sinai has instructed that any ballot paper with Yali’s name or his box number indicated is automatically informal; this means that the other preference on the same ballot paper – be it first, second or third choice – will also be counted as informal because of Yali as a preference,” he said.
Navi said the candidate had challenged this decision in court, with a ruling set for July 29 which falls on the date of return of writs.
“His scrutineers came to see me and I explained the situation with any ballot papers with his name on as a preference and I also advised them to allow the counting process to go and declaration be done,” he said.
Navi said that with the understanding of the candidates’ scrutineers and supporters, the counting for Madang regional’s 37 candidates should go on.

26/07/2022

MADANG PROVINCIAL SEAT
Top 10 Candidates.
(42 ballot boxes from 40 out of 203 polling teams.)

Updated: 26th July, 2022. 12:04pm

26/07/2022

BOGIA OPEN.
Updated: 26th July, 2022. 5:30am

26/07/2022

Usino Bundi District
Progressive results after count 4.

25/07/2022

COPS SUSPENDED FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES (MADANG)

By Sylvester Wemuru.
26th July, 2022

Seven Madang based police officers have been suspended for not performing their duties during the election period.
Madang provincial police commander acting Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang said one officer was arrested and charged for accepting bribery, another was suspended for driving a candidates vehicle, and the rest were suspended for drinking while on duty.
PPC Rubiang said out of the seven, two are from Sumkar district while the rest are from Madang town. The officers will be dealt with after the election.
PPC Rubiang said police officers had been briefed by their respective commanders on what to do and what not to do during elections.
Chief inspector Charles Winuan who is with Madang’s Internal Task Force (ITL) confirmed that the care that was driven by the policeman, has been returned to its owner.
He added that the police officers were informed not to support any political parties or candidates while on duty during the election.
PPC Rubiang added that the offenders were disarmed before they were given their suspension notices.

25/07/2022

EC: No More Petitions.
July 25, 2022The NationalMain Stories
By LULU MAGINDE
ELECTORAL Commissioner Simon Sinai has instructed all Returning Officers (ROs) and their assistants not to accept any more petitions or disputes and to complete counting without delay.
“We need to return the General Elections 2022 (GE22) writs of all 118 parliamentary and provincial seats on Friday,” he said.
“So the counting of ballots must continue day and night without any further delay.
“As we’re running closer to the return of writs, we have made a lot of changes and applying changes in the process to speed up counting.
“Those of us who are participating with the ROs, we require your cooperation and attention.”
Sinai said he discussed with Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae last week about extending the deadline “but there is no hope for it”.
“So I am doing everything within my powers to get this election done. I am not going to listen to any scrutineers or complaints from anyone,” he said.
He appealed to the scrutineers and candidates to take their complaints or queries to the right forum, which they are aware of.
“With the counting that has been observed and monitored, there’s a lot of interference by the scrutineers, candidates and supporters, which puts the election officials under immense pressure,” he said.
“All stakeholders should respect the electoral process and don’t interfere with the counting because the officials have a mandated duty not to be obstructed to count ballots.”
He said the world was watching “with the international observers monitoring and reporting everything that’s happening”.
“Please act respectfully,” he said.
Polling has been completed in 21 provinces.
“The only exception is Laigam district in Enga due to ongoing violence.”
Fifteen electorates have already been declared and more than 80 are transmitting counting updates which can be viewed on the EC results webpage.
He thanked the Australian Defence Force for their support during the GE22.

22/07/2022

BREAKING NEWS

BUSINESSMAN PASSES ON

By Mortimer Yangharry, in Wabag, Enga Province

Papua New Guinea's business magnate Jacob Luke shockingly passed away in his home village.

At the time of his passing, he was at his Lakolam village in the Wabag district of Enga Province.

Just recently, he officially opened his K8 million mansion in his village in conjunction with the opening of the Concordia Early Childhood Learning Centre and Concordia Primary School all funded and established by his Mapai Foundation.

Confirmation regarding the situation leading to his sudden death is not known at the moment.

The late Jacob Luke is the sole owner of Mapai Transport and Logistics International.

Mapai Transport also has branches in Australia and New Zealand.

May his soul rest in peace😭💔

*Attached is a picture of late Jacob Luke.

22/07/2022

HEAD OF STATE FIXES THE DATE AND TIME OF FIRST MEETING OF THE 11TH PARLIAMENT

Thursday, July 21, 2022

The Governor General, Sir Bob Dadai has, pursuant to the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the Parliament, by notice in the National Gazette dated, 19 July 2022, fixed the date for the Parliament to meet on 4th August 2022, at 10.00 am. This will be the first meeting of the 11th Parliament following the National General Elections.

This was done following consultations between the Prime Minister and the Speaker of Parliament, as is prescribed in law. It is expected that the first order of business, will be the swearing in of Members of Parliament, followed by the election of the Speaker of the 11th National Parliament. After the Speaker’s swearing in by the Governor General, the Speaker will then preside over the election of a Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister, Hon James Marape, has acknowledged this process. He says that it is a prescribed organic law process, and the National Gazette complies with the required two weeks’ notice for the calling of the National Parliament.

“I want to acknowledge that this is a legal process, and that once the consultations were concluded between the outgoing Speaker and I, the instrument and publishing of the National Gazette sets the clock in motion”

With the date of the meeting fixed, the Prime Minister noted with concern that the counting process is slower than expected. He acknowledged that this process must also be closely sequenced with the counting and declaration processes of the National General Elections 2022.

“I want to appeal to all our citizens to refrain from resorting to violent, unlawful, and disruptive activities which could undermine the counting and the declaration processes, because these processes are locked into an organic law timeline, the end of which is the first sitting of Parliament. All elected representatives of our people must participate in the first sitting of the 11th Parliament.

22/07/2022

Abstracted: 11:05am, 22nd July, 2022.

22/07/2022

Community Gets Roofing Iron for Project.

The National - July 21,2022.
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By JAMIE HARO
Locals in Umun Dalam in Madang will now continue their classroom project to cater for early childhood learning in the community, an official says.

This had been made possible by a donation of roofing iron sheets by Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF).
KTF’s 2021 archer leader, Kurere Matanzana said this was one of his projects under the Niupela Madang, Niupela PNG Campaign aimed at delivering a series of projects in the province.

“As an archer leader, I was allocated K2,000 community grant to do a project as part of my leadership journey,” he said.

“I chose Umun Dalam community, ward 20 in South Ambenob LLG in Madang to build a classroom that can house a library and an office for early childhood education,” he said.

Matanzana said the KTF scholarship grant was used to buy 22 sheets of roofing iron to complete the classroom project.

“The locals, through their ward councilor, helped to set up the foundation of the building before receiving the project’s roofing iron last Saturday,” he said.
“The classroom will house hundreds of students and provide a conducive environment for learning through reading and serves as an office space”.

He said the reason he chose the Umun Dalam community was because it was one of the most notorious places in Madang known for its law and order issues and such initiative taken by the local community and NGOs was step in the right direction for more positive changes to happen.

Prior to the presentation of the materials, the archer leader and his team used the opportunity to raise an awareness in discussions surrounding law and order, health, education, environment and leadership.

Umun Dalam community councilor, Jonah Gulul acknowledged the project leader and thanked him saying such initiatives came as a privilege.

22/07/2022

Yama Is Not a Knight, Cannot Be Referred To as ‘Sir’: GG’s Office.

July 21, 2022.
The National: Main Stories.
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MADANG Governor Peter Yama has not been knighted, according to the Governor General’s acting secretary Bill Toraso.
He said this yesterday to clarify the confusion surrounding the honours system that includes Imperial Honours and Awards and the Papua New Guinea Honours and Awards, and the titles accorded under the two systems.
He said Yama had not received a knighthood (Knight of the Realm) from the Governor General.

He said Governor General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae travelled to Madang in September last year to celebrate Independence Day and it was on that occasion that two investiture ceremonies were held.

The first investiture was for Sir John Hickey, who was bestowed the award of Knight Bachelor.
Sir John was recognised in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours list but did not receive his award until the investiture ceremony in Madang last year.

Sir John received the award in recognition for his service to the community as member of the parliament, as chairman of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee and former Agriculture minister.

The second investiture ceremony was the presentation of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals.
The medals were presented to individuals recommended by the Madang provincial government.

This was in recognition for their services to the province in various capacities both in the public and private sectors, sports and business community.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal is a commemorative medal created in 2012 to mark the 60th diamond jubilee anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne.

The medal honours the Queen for Her Service.

It is a token of appreciation and recognition for valuable contribution rendered by individuals towards the growth and development of their province.

This was in the area of politics, public service, education, agriculture, military, police,church, sports, health, judiciary, community service, business and private sector.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal is a commemorative medal that does not bear any title.
Toraso said Yama had been presented with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal and did not receive a knighthood.

More on: https://www.thenational.com.pg/yama-is-not-a-knight-cannot-be-referred-to-as-sir-ggs-office/

22/07/2022

BOGIA OPEN
Top 5

22/07/2022

As of 21st July, 2022.
13 seats declared so far, 105 more to go before the formation of a new government.

Follow for more upcoming updates

22/07/2022

Abstracted: 22nd July, 2022.
10:32am

21/07/2022

MADANG COUNTING DELAYED
(July 21, 2022)

By GLORIA BAUAI in Madang

COUNTING for the Madang Open started yesterday but was put on hold during the primary counting of regional votes, an official says.

Assistant provincial returning officer Albert Ului said the reason for the hold-up was because of a mix-up over barred regional candidate James Yali.
Ului said Yali was one of the names issued by the Electoral Commission and ineligible to contest because of a prior criminal conviction.

“The issue here is that prior to nominations, we had requested the EC to submit us a list of convicts that could not contest the seats but they delayed until after all nomination applications were accepted and candidate numbers issued,” he said.

“The named candidate fully participated with campaigning and had his scrutineers sent into polling areas.”
Ului said they would start primary counting in respective LLGs before going to the central tally centre.

He said if Yali was chosen by voters for any of the preferences they would need to decide how to proceed.
“For this reason, I have advised that we will not touch the regional box until we get a clear clarification from the commissioner and the legal officer.”
Ului said he was also served a letter from Yali’s team advising that the matter would be brought to court.

He said it was likely that if the counting for the regional seat were to go ahead they would have issues with Yali’s name being one of the preferences.
“I believe if regional counting commences, this issue will affect the open as well.”

Madang returning officer Joe Sapika said counting for the open seat at Tusbab Primary School would start with Ambenob LLG, then Madang open and Transgogol LLG. Sapika said he was confident they would be able to complete counting within a week in on or by the July 29 deadline for the return of writs.
“All 67 boxes for the open are at Jomba police station here in Madang.”

The Madang Open has 47 candidates while the regional seat has 37.

21/07/2022

MADANG OPEN SEAT
Updated: 21st July, 2022. 6:14pm
After recount from yesterday.