The Divisional Officer for Balikumbat, in the Ngoketuja Division of the Northwest had earlier issued several warnings and threats of severe sanctions if the 52nd edition of the national day was boycotted.
But the threats of the D.O Forbi Enow Fritz seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Turn out on the 20th was exactly what he feared. Reports indicate fewer than 40 people were bold enough to brave the odds. These were mostly civil servants and security officials. Amongst the officials present at the ceremonial ground was the member of Parliament for Balikumbat special constituency, Hon. Bamni Emmanuel.
Many of the residents of Balikumbat for fear of reprisals from separatist fighters decided not to heed the D.O’s call. Turnout in previous éditions have been better than this time.
