Electoral Commission

This is the second extension allowed by the court, after recount results were initially due on February 8 in the National Court.

The counting was delayed over disputes on counting venue preference by supporters. 

The recount results of the Chimbu Regional seat was extended from February, and due in court today, 3rd April. 

However counting continues at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.

Lawyers for the Electoral Commission filed a motion, seeking another extension of time from the court to complete the recount.

This follows the National Court order on February 7^th, ordering the first by-election from disputed results of the 2017 national election.

A Supreme Court appeal is most likely to be filed by the PNG Electoral Commission within 14-21 days as of the date of the decision.

While that is being pursued, the Commission will put together the costs for the by-election and submit to the Government for funding.

It has also gotten an extension of 51 days to conduct the recount, as ordered by the National Court.

The recount that was ordered in November last year has not started due to various disputes over the recount venue, which was set by the Electoral Commissioner.

The results were due on Wednesday, February 6^th.

On Friday, the Electoral Commission was granted an extension of 51 days – from February 6 – to conduct the court ordered Simbu provincial seat recount, and return the results for verification by the Waigani National Court.

Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Kevin Isifu. said this when announcing the dates for the LLG Elections.

In a media conference today, Minister Isifu announced the dates for one-year deferred LLG Election.

2019 LLG Election Dates

Issue of Writs – Thursday 25^th April 2019

Nominations Close – Thurday 2^nd May 2019

Polling Starts – Thursday 9^th May 2019

Polling Ends – Wednesday 22^nd May 2019

Return of Writ on or before: Thursday 13^th June 2019

The recount has been put off, while the Electoral Commission and Police are in discussion over the recount location, taking security into account.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato, told this newsroom from Lae, the National Court’s order was to have the recount conducted outside Simbu.

He said he will be in breach of a court order if the recount takes place in Simbu, adding Police will have to understand and comply with the court order.

The last two reported declarations made today were Kirakira East and Elevala Laurabada.

Counting for the ward councillors and chairmanship of the Motu Koitabu Assembly continued into day two today.

Council wards of Pari Taota, Pari Taurama and Kirakira of Motu Koitabu East were declared.

Sitting ward councillor of Kirakira Arutu Bake was voted back.

Council wards of Poreporena Laurabada, Poreporena Lahara and Elevala Laurabada of Motu Koitabu East were also declared.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato delivered this to provincial election bosses at the Electoral Commission’s 3^rd National Workshop in Port Moresby.

It has been established that the elections for the Local Level Governments will take place next April.

Among the directives, is that the 2018 LLG election budget of K100 million be revoked and a new budget be set.

The decision from the NEC to reinstate funding for LLG elections is so the budget for 2018 will be removed and according to the decision, K150 million be budgeted for the LLG elections.

The Government has now put together a commission comprising of senior officers from the Electoral Commission, CLRC Secretariat and Members of Parliament to review the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government Elections.

The Commission will be led by CLRC Secretary Dr Eric Kwa.

The Commission staff under the leadership of Secretary Dr Eric Kwahas has been given 18 months to deliver the Constitutional Directives.

The case, which was set for trial today, was further adjourned to Wednesday to allow the Electoral Commission to file the necessary documents.

Lawyer representing the Electoral Commission told Court that they are having trouble obtaining the documents requested by the petitioners.

The documents are locked up in a container.

They consist of the 364 presiding officers’ journals, list of polling schedules, forms 66 A and B showing the 34th and 35th elimination and the list of presiding officers.

Funds are needed by the commission to run the recount within the timeframe given by the National Court to avoid being in contempt.

Budget submissions have been put to the National Executive Council and the Inter-Department Election Committee.

The Electoral Commission told this newsroom K1.3 million is needed to conduct recount for the Central Bougainville seat.

The National Court gave two months from January 30 to do the recount.

Today, March 5 was the date the court ordered for recount to commence; it should end on or before March 17.