10,000 Ballot Papers Discovered in Madang By-Election

Ballot papers discovered in Madang by-election. Getty 

The declaration of the Madang By-Election has come under the shadow of uncertainty after 10,000 valid ballot-papers were discovered by candidates.

The discovery now confirms the candidates suspicious all along that

the integrity of the Madang By-Election had been compromised

The candidates first raised their concerns when the Returning Officer Adolf Duangha refused to disclose the serial numbers of the

ballot-papers both during the polling period and counting process.

It is standard procedure and practice in elections that serial numbers of used /unused ballot-papers were provided to scrutineers. 

This information is vital to ensure proper scrutiny over the process. 

Such practices affirm the principles of democratic elections prescribed by Section 126 (Elections) of the Constitution are observed and upheld.

Further disclosure of such information is a mandatory right under Section 51 (freedom to information) of the Constitution. 

This was later confirmed by Mr. Trawen in writing.

Further irregularities included ballot-papers numbering in the

thousands were distinctly marked in the same handwriting and pen and reappear in almost every ballot-box.

A another point of contention was that a comparison of the current

results against 2012 figures show that the declared candidate more

than 3 times the primary votes that he did at this stage last year.

2012 (2,375 votes) versus 2013 (15373, votes).

The candidates argued it was beyond belief that a candidate who is a first time Member of Parliament, having only held office for less than nine months, before being ousted after being found guilty of bribery and fraud in relation to his election could poll 48% of the primary votes counted so far. 

These results are so incredible and unreasonable that no reasonable person can accept it.

The candidates petitioned the Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen who gave written instructions that polling officials returns disclosing serial numbers and signatures be given to the candidates scrutinizers.

A final quality check be carried out of all the ballot-papers before

the elimination.

The Returning Officer defied the instructions of the Commissioner

skipped the final quality check and proceeded straight to elimination