2022 National General Elections (NGE)

Commissioner, Simon Sinai made the announcement today, after advising that the majority of the writs of 73 will be returned to the Governor General by 4pm today.

Out of the 118 seats, 82 electorates have been declared, while 73 will be returned to the Governor General.

The provincial and electorates yet to return their writs to the Electoral Commissioner include;

He was referring to the extension of the date for the return of writs to August 5^th, 2022

Mr Pomaleu said that aside from the law, it is important that the fundamental interest of our people must not be overlooked in these decisions.

“For a variety of reasons, it has become clear to us that most writs will not be returned to the Head of State on Friday, July 29th.

“I also understand that the Electoral Commission had a few options before him, but in his considered view chosen to move the date of the return of writs to 05 August 2022.

He said the decision was reached after the Electoral Commissioner had sought advice from the Inter Agency Elections Committee (IDEC), the Office of the State Solicitor and the Secretary for Justice.

“Let me assure the people of our beautiful country that according to our view, the decision of of the Electoral Commissioner to extend the date for the return of writs for Friday 5th August 2022 is valid and according to the existing law.

The team of 70 police officers led by Contingent Commander, Inspector Simon Dugumi hailed a success operation.

The 70 personnel were from Police headquarters and Reservist from the 2022 intake one, attached to stations throughout the National Capital District.

Inspector Dugumi explained that they were tasked in providing security during polling in Goroka and Daulo in Eastern Hihghlands and onto Chimbu Province.

Although violence and unrest are common during the elections, especially in the upper Highlands region.

1. Kavieng Open seat - 54 Boxes
1.1. Kavieng Urban LLG - 20 Boxes
1.2 Lavongai LLG - 17 Boxes
1.3 Tikana LLG - 15 Boxes
1.4 Murat LLG - 2 Boxes

2. Namatanai Open seat - 41 Boxes
2.1 Sentral LLG - 14 Boxes
2.2 Namatanai LLG - 7 Boxes
2.3 Konoagil LLG - 6 Boxes
2.4 Tanir LLG - 6 Boxes
2.5 Nimarmar LLG - 5 Boxes
2.6 Matalai LLG - 3 Boxes

3. Regional Seat - 95 Boxes
3.1 Kavieng Open - 54 Boxes
3.2 Namatanai Open - 41 Boxes

Acting Prime Minister John Rosso says, “I understand some issues associated with polling in some of the areas. It’s not the perfect election.”

Rosso said he and a few others believe that the first tasking of the next government must be to review the current electoral processes of the Electoral Commission.

“As soon as the next government is formed, their first tasking should be to look at the electoral process and ensure that it is fixed properly so we do not repeat any of these mistakes.