​Ballot papers arrive in 9 provinces

Nine provinces have already received their polling materials from the PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC).

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato confirmed with Loop PNG that the distribution exercise started on Saturday, two weeks before polling for the 2017 National Election starts.    

“All polling materials dispatched to all provinces. Sensitive materials like ballot papers, ink rolls, candidate posters started going out on Saturday,” Gamato said.  

He confirmed the provinces are Manus, Bougainville, Sandaun, East Sepik, Oro, Milne Bay, Western, Morobe and Madang.

Gamato said the Australian Defence Force is helping airlift the materials to each province.

“By Friday this week, all distribution will end.”

According to PNGEC, a total of 10 million ballot papers were printed for the elections, five million ballot papers for the Provincial Seats and five million ballot papers for the Open Seats.

“On polling day, a voter will be issued with two ballot papers – one for the Provincial Seat and one for the Open Seat.”

The election campaign period will end on 24 June, and 14 days of nationwide polling will start on 25 June.  

(File picture)

Author: 
Charles Yapumi