NCD polls: Polling extended!

Polling has been extended for three stations in the National Capital District.

Today, McGregor Barracks in the Moresby North-East electorate, Works compound (MNE) and the University of Papua New Guinea in the Moresby North-West electorate will poll.

Provincial Returning Officer and NCD Election Manager, Alwyn Jimmy, says he has been given approval by the Electoral Commissioner to proceed with the exercise.

“Under the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local Level Governments, we are still within the 14 days,” he tells Loop PNG.

“Just because you have been given one day to poll doesn’t mean you have missed out.”

He says if there is a good reason, they will extend polling for an area.

“Yesterday people at UPNG refused to cast their votes so we are giving them another last chance.”

The incident at UPNG arose when students and staff realised that the number of ballot papers was insufficient.

Based on the 2017 updated electoral roll, 1,350 ballot papers have been issued for polling at the Drill Hall at UPNG. This was disputed with students saying there should be around 4000 names on the electoral roll.

However, Jimmy says he has to ‘go by the book’.

“The book says they have this number of people then that is how we will issue the ballot papers.”

Author: 
Carmella Gware