THE Southern Region Leader for Pangu Pati and Member for Goilala William Samb has refuted claims of vote rigging in the Port Moresby North West by- election as well as for other by-elections that has been conducted this year.
The Member speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister and Pangu Pati made this remarks following the swearing in of the new Pangu Pati member and MP elect for the Port Moresby North-West electorate, Lohia Boe Samuel in Parliament State function in Port Moresby on Friday, July 2.
He said the winning PM as a leader knows where his base vote were before contesting the election and that has been displayed during the first preference counting, throughout formality checks and in the process of elimination.
“So much has been said on Pangu Pati rigging this election and I want to make it clear that Pangu is not in the business of rigging this election.
MP Samb clarified that the Pati also has candidates contesting for other by-elections in the country including the Bougainville by-election, Goroka Open electorate and the Port Moresby North-West electorate in which two of its Pati members have won.
“Let us not confuse our people, MPs elect have won because they planned and prepared for it and we as a party have done our part by boosting the support that has already been there.
“With respect to our coalition partners, let us put to rest the claims that Pangu has rigged the election and that we want to make sure that the 2022 election will be a free and fair election,” he said.
He also clarified saying that with so many changes, issues and concerns raised over the whole by- election process, the government has noted and has already been in dialogue of conversation between organizations including Council of Churches, PNG National Research Institute and other organizations in making sure that 2022 election is well planned for the people to vote freely and without fear.