Josephine Tamai Responds to P.U.P. Allegations…
Josephine Tamai
Tamai says that whether August had blank proxy forms in his possession or not is not her concern, since the forms are available to the public on their website. But she says that she did not, and would not ask any registering officer to sign blank forms.
Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer
“I have absolutely no knowledge of anybody or I will categorically state that I have never given approval to any of my staff members, including registering officers and senior officers to sign any blank proxy forms on my behalf…absolutely none.”
Reporter
“So in no way or form you were intimidated by Mister August over that telephone conversation?”
Josephine Tamai
“No, because like what I explained to the officer. Like I said, it had the relevant information on the form. It is not that we want to turn person [away], regardless of whoever it is. This is similar to when incapacitated persons go to vote at any polling station; they are required to take in somebody of their choice to mark that ballot for them. We cannot dictate to anybody who you assign to take in whatever or to accompany you to the office. It doesn’t matter whoever it is; we treat everybody the same regardless of their position, status, whatever it is. And it applies…maybe this might be one that you hear about. We have from other parties as well with similar concerns, but just that nothing has been brought up or any issue because like I said, we are here as public officers to provide a public service and we have to continue doing that.”
Reporter
“Did you speak to Mister August that day?”
Josephine Tamai
“Yes I did speak to Mister August that day because he did call and he said…well actually he spoke to the senior officer first because like I said, we were in a meeting. So he spoke to that person and it was when my officer told her that she will not sign the form, it was then that the officer asked for my intervention and she said, you know what Miss Tamai, could you please intervene and request the officer. At that point people feel bad that we are turning around the customer. Whoever the customer is, that is not what is required by Election and Boundaries Department and by any government department. So I called, even before Mister August called me, I had spoken to the officer and she relayed the same exact information to me; that those two things were not on the form—the date that the Commissioner signed the form and to say police duty in that slot that is assigned for that.”
