Pacific / Papua New Guinea

PNG electoral commissioner charged with corruption

11:27 am on 21 October 2019

Papua New Guinea's electoral commissioner has been arrested and charged with corruption, money laundering and conspiracy.

Papua New Guinea's Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

Patilias Gamato was arrested after an investigation into the election of the manager for the National Capital District, Terence Hetinu, in 2017, a police statement said.

Hetinu was arrested while carrying more than $US54,000 cash on the eve of the 2017 national elections.

At the time, Mr Gamato said the money was camping allowances for election officials, a claim the police say is the subject of their investigation.

Mr Gamato has been released on bail while he awaits his next court appearance.