With the 2017 National and Local Level Government elections around the corner, the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission is working tirelessly around the clock to update existing common rolls.
PNGEC wants to ensure that it has an accurate and credible roll for the upcoming elections.
Progressive reports presented by the Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato, at the National Council of Women’s workshop last week, showed projects that started in Alotau, Rigo and Kokopo District, are in their advanced stages.
Four weeks ago, K2.5 million was dispatched to provinces. This funding will be followed by another K3.2 million, to provide further support for the provinces in their updating exercises, says Gamato.
Second level training for returning officers, assistant returning officers and local level government officers, as well as third level training for enrolment agents, are being conducted. Training manuals and enrolment forms have also been dispatched to all provinces and are now in use, he says.
The Chief Commissioner states that a total of K5 million was released for field work recently. An additional K30 million is expected to complete the roll updating by November or December this year.
Meanwhile, polling schedules have been drafted, with finalised schedules expected to be released in December.