Dede Sophie

Incumbent Madang Governor Peter Yama has served a petition to the Electoral Commission today, calling for the immediate suspension of Madang’s Provincial Returning Officer, Sponsa Navi. Mr. Yama served the petition after midday today to Mr. Navi in the Office of the Provincial Police Commander, in the presence of Provincial Police Commander Mazuc Rubiang and Commanders of the joint security forces on election deployment to Madang Province. Mr. Yama’s petition stems from serious allegations against the Provincial Returning Officer that he was seen at a same restaurant last night with the Leader of the People’s First Party, Richard Maru, Madang’s Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang and incumbent MP for Usino/Bundi, Jimmy Uguro. PFP candidate Remsy Pariwa is currently leading the Madang Regional race that Yama is defending. Mr. Yama said given the events that had transpired, he alleges polling and counting for the Madang Regional Seat has been rigged and compr

An ex-police officer is now the member-elect for Mul-Baiyer in the Western Highlands Province. PANGU Pati candidate Jacob Kop Maki unseated People’s National Congress Party candidate Koi Trappe this evening, after polling 26,890 votes. He was declared winner in the 25th exclusion of National Alliance Party candidate Sani Rambi who polled 15,490 votes. Mr. Maki surpassed the absolute majority of 25,249 votes and was declared by the Returning Officer Tommy Kolo at 7:00pm tonight. Mr. Maki is a former police officer based in Madang Province. Speaking during his declaration, Mr. Maki said his reason for resigning from his formal employment and entering politics is to serve his people. He also said Mul-Baiyer is a big district with the inclusion of the Lumusa LLG, and he will make sure that services are fairly distributed to the people of Mul, Baiyer and Lumusa. He thanked the people of Mul-Baiyer for giving him the mandate and saluted former MP Koi Trappe for delivering services in the dis