LLG elections 2019

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato says most polling should have been completed by July 23 or tomorrow, Wednesday, July 24. 

“There are minor or isolated incidents reported but generally polling and counting is progressing well.”

Gamato outlines the progressive report on polling and counting by provinces as follows:

“The department (through the Solicitor General) has advised that the order that was given by the Supreme Court was against the Electoral Commissioner however, the authority to issue the writ is vested by the organic law upon the Minister for Provincial and Local level Government Affairs,” Attorney General Manase said in Port Moresby.

“So last week Thursday, in accordance with the Constitutional process, Minister for Provincial Affairs, who is vested with the authority to issue the writ, had already issued the writ, and the writ is in force,” he added.

Nominations will be open this afternoon at 4pm and close on May 2^nd.

The campaign period will commence on May 26 and ends on June 21 while polling will start on June 22 and ends on July 6.

The Writs will be returned on July 26.

Isifu is confident that the LLG elections will be conducted successfully.

Meantime, Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato clarified that the election will be done on ward councils only whilst LLG presidents will be elected by the councillors.

More to come...