By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
The West Baegu/Fataleka Ward 5 election counting officials underwent a half-day training on Tuesday, April 7, at the Malaita Assembly conference room.
The training was basically to teach and provide broader knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the counting officials during the counting period of votes cast, spoiled, and unused after the polling day on April 15.
In an interview with the Island Sun, the Election Manager for West Baegu/Fataleka Ward 5, Peter Herehura, said the training will help the counting officials to perform their duties more transparently, accountably, fairly, and accurately.
He said they also learned how to receive polling sacks, and to record how many forms were used by the presiding officer, as well as the polling sacks.
“We are expecting seven polling sacks, and they come with other envelopes of tender papers, unused ballots, and counter foils for separation before they can go into the ballot box for verification and documentation.
“With that, it will make their work more efficient, accurate, accountable, transparent, and fast,” he said.
He said counting officials must also be careful and need to be accountable and fair in everything they do.
“There will be the presence of counting agents; every move that the counting officials make is monitored and recorded by each counting agent,” he said.
In the meantime, he said international and local election observers are expected to be present on polling day and day of counting votes.
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