Pacific

PNG election being rigged, says Morauta

15:05 pm on 28 June 2017

Papua New Guinea's former prime minister Sir Mekere Morauta says the national election is being rigged under the watch of the Electoral Commissioner.

Four days into the two-week polling period, the election has become mired in allegations regarding ballot papers and a woefully inadequate electoral roll.

Yesterday, police in Port Moresby apprehended three electoral officials, one of whom was found to have a large amount of cash, and confiscated ballot papers they were allegedly mishandling.

It came hours after the Electoral Commission deferred polling in the capital to Friday, and problems around polling in the Highlands.

The Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato has denied allegations that his officers were involved in suspected bribery.

But a group of candidates in the capital, including Sir Mekere, have petitioned the Electoral Commissioner to resign immediately.

He told Johnny Blades that this is the most chaotic election in PNG's history.

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Photo: linkedin