Faulty PNG electoral roll blamed on fraud
Papua New Guinea's electoral commissioner says he will conduct an investigation into allegations of widespread voter fraud. As PNG's election limps into its second week, electoral commissioner Andrew Trawen has defended his agency's handling of the 2012 elections. Producing a clean electoral roll was difficult because of widespread fraud, he said. Many voters have complained their names are not on the roll at some voting booths. Mr Trawen acknowledges fictitious names are also a concern amid allegations names appearing on the preliminary roll were not on the final roll. "It is very difficult to produce a roll with the highest level of accuracy and integrity when some people are prepared to go to any length to corrupt the process," he told The National newspaper. "We have found evidence of deliberate actions by some to remove names, add names and modify the status of persons. "Once we have completed our inquiries, I will refer these matters to the police.