The PNG Electoral Commission will conduct the Samarai-Murua electorate by-election if funding is made available by the National Government.
The electorate is in Milne Bay Province.
“I want to reiterate that the Electoral Commission has a mandatory duty to conduct a by-election for Samarai-Murua under section 106 of the Constitution; however, funding is an issue,” Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato said.
“I have written to the Prime Minister requesting for an estimated K4.5 million to conduct a by-election for Samarai-Murua and we are awaiting response.”
Gamato earlier announced that there would be no by-election due to time factor and funding issues.
“However, if it is practicable in terms of funding then the Commission is duty bound to conduct a by-election as required and provided for under Section 106 of the Constitution and the Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections.”
The open seat was vacated after last month’s Supreme Court ruling against a review application by former MP Gordon Wesley on the decisions of the Court of Disputed Returns to dismiss him from office.