For all those intending candidates who did not make the deadline today to submit their bio data for the 2017 elections, do not despair, the deadline has been extend to February 20, 2017.
Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato made this announcement this afternoon, just after closing time at the Electoral Commission headquarters in Hohola, Port Moresby.
In an exclusive interview with Loop PNG, Commissioner Gamato said the extension was basically to give intending candidates and political parties time to go through the process and to return all the paper work on time.
Commissioner Gamato said there were electoral regulations in place for this to take place to collect election data.
He said the bio data would then be slotted into respective provinces and electorates where allotments would be given to candidates under political party tickets and those who would be contesting as independent candidates.
Commissioner Gamato said overall he was happy with the response of the first day for candidates in submitting their bio data for the 2017 National Elections.
Meanwhile, at the PNGEC headquarter, there was a mad rush as intending candidates crammed the reception to get their bio data registered.
Businessman Ben Saka Wia, was in his best dress with an outstanding pink necktie and a white shirt and coat gave in his Bio data. Saka Wia will be contesting the Wapenamanda open. When asked if he was supported by any political party, he said he would be contesting as an independent candidate.
Lawyer Philip Ame is confident he will win the NCD Regional seat after giving in his bio data.
“I have all the support in the city, from the buai sellers to all the ethnic groups and I am confident of doing well,” Ame said.
Real estate businessman, Michael Kandiu also rolled in just before closing time and submitted his bio. He will be again contesting the NCD Regional seat.
Wesley Karava from Gulf Province will be contesting the Kerema Open seat. This is his first time to contest.
“I will be contesting as an independent candidate,” he said when asked if he was endorse by a political party”.
The 2017 National Elections has gotten underway and the excitement is already in the air.
The PNGEC headquarters as well as all provincial offices will be open to receive all bio data from intending candidates until February 20, 2017.