JAME MARAPE IS NO STRANGER TO ELECTION RIGGING
by SIMON TEMO In 2017, It was no surprise that James Marape has retain his seat in the Tari Pori electorate. However, given the circumstance surrounding rumors that the elections in Hela was rigged, there is now evidence surfacing that speaks volumes. Remember, numbers don't lie. On an interview with EMTV on the 9th of July 2017, Marape himself claimed that he was declared on 50% majority on the first count, to be exact 30,192, which means that the total eligible voters for Tari Pori in 2017 election was about 60,000 plus. However, looking back on past elections, it appears the numbers don't add up. In 2007, total eligible voters for Tari Pori was 37,473. He scored 6,147 1st prefence votes to win (roughly 12% of the voters). In 2012, total voters were 40,039 of which he scored 13,661 of 1st preference votes (34% of the total votes). He went on to win with 18,258 after completion of elimination. From current results, it appears that the total voter population increased by 20,