Transcript
After a lengthy and disruption-riddled vote count, a bizarre double declaration briefly clouded the victory of the Moresby North West MP-elect. Sir Mekere Morauta, a political opponent of the incumbent People's National Congress government, was officially declared in the presence of election officials, police and media. The returning officer Moka Havara was conspicuously absent. A few hours later, in a room at Port Moresby's Airways Hotel, Mr Havara declared the candidate who had run third in the Moresby Northwest vote count, Joseph Tonde, as the electorate's MP-elect.
"Because the third candidate's paper was given as the winning candidate, I have to declare that third one as the winning candidate for Moresby Northwest, the candidate by the name of Joe L. Tonde," said Mr Havara
The handful of media personnel present were told by the candidate that his win was genuine
"Displa em i genuine Returning Officer for Moresby Northwest. And displa writ, em i genuine," said Mr Tonde.
But the election manager for the capital, Alwyn Jimmy, subsequently confirmed that the returning officer's declaration of Mr Tonde was illegal.
Meanwhile, less than a kilometre away another farce was playing out at Jackson's Airport where the new member elect for Ijivitari, Richard Masere of the National Alliance had arrived. Due to be picked up by his party's president Walter Schnaubelt, Mr Masere was suddenly the subject of a kidnap atempt by members of the People's National Congress, including ousted MP David Arore, who were apparently seeking to bring the new MP into their camp ahead of next week's vote.
"Of course there was a bit of a tussle, going back and forth," said Mr Schnaubelt, "but we managed to guide Richard into our vehicle and drove off with him. I did make it very clear to David Arore and his group, and the police that were there with them, that this is very unprofessional behaviour in regards to trying to kidnap a candidate belonging to another party. Are you guys showing signs of desperation? You know, how low are you willing to go?"
The election has turned violent in the past week in several provincial capitals in Highlands provinces. In the Western Highlands, Mt Hagen's business district have been closed since Monday and the Kagamuga airport blockaded by supporters of disgruntled election candidates. They claim the sitting Hagen Open MP William Duma was declared winner of the seat without dozens of ballot boxes being counted. Among reported damage caused by rioting, the Hagen Council Chambers building has been burnt down, and the town's water supply has been poisoned.
One of the Hagen candidates, Simon Sanagke, said returning officer Paul Goima declared Mr Duma prematurely and has a lot to answer for.
"The Electoral Commissioner's stand was that you have to count all primary counts, and then do the elimination, and you have to get 50 (percent) plus 1 (vote)," said Mr Sanagke. "But in this case, Duma never got 50 plus 1, and the primary counts have never concluded. They decided to just lave the 28 boxes and arrived at the declaration."
The People's National Congress is on track to end up the party with the most seats, and the National Alliance second. Both parties are in talks with smaller parties to try and gain a majority to govern as next week's parliament sitting approaches.
