PNG Electoral Commissioner

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato confirmed in a media conference today that polling for Eastern Highlands Province commenced yesterday as scheduled.

However polling in Hela and Chimbu Province and some electorates in EHP were delayed.

Gamato says that the one-day polling in Simbu had to be deferred to sort out candidate grievances over the Electoral Roll.

Instead of polling in Hela on Monday, the day was spent addressing the issue of selected presiding officers disputed by a few candidates.

Most of the delays around the country have been due to issues of missing names on the electoral rolls, security, outstanding service providers’ costs, disagreements with election presiding officials and movement of materials due to bad weather for those rural areas.

He said these when giving an update on the progress of polling in the provinces, since Saturday, from across the country.

In the New Guinea Islands region, all five provinces started on Saturday except for New Ireland, which commenced polling on Monday, and Bougainville.

This now confirms that David Wakias will remain as Southern Highlands Provincial Election Manager as per the Waigani National Court’s judicial review decision of March 17, and the Electoral Commission will no longer challenge it in the Supreme Court.

Electoral Commission's lawyer was granted leave by Justice Collin Makail during the Supreme Court directions hearing.

Gamato's lawyers were ordered to file notices of discontinuance within the next 7 days.

This appeal was filed by Gamato and the Electoral Commission challenging the National Court decision of 17 March.

When the writs are issued, the 7-day nomination period, for intending candidates contesting the 111 seats in the National Parliament, will open.

PNG Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato told Loop PNG this morning that preparation is on target and an official statement will be released this afternoon.

“We are ready,” Gamato said.        

The election nomination period will close at 4pm on April 27.

There will be 8 weeks of campaign period, from 20 April – 23 June.

Polling will run from 24 June – 8 July, followed by the counting period.  

“It’s against the law to do early campaigning; campaigns are done after the Writs are issued.

“I am appealing to all the intending candidates and leaders (current parliamentarians) not to engage in early campaigns because it is illegal. They must be responsible and stop early campaigns.”

Gamato is calling on candidates who will contest the 111 seats to be vigilant.

He was 78 years old.

Kaumi from Sanananda in Buna, Northern Province, was appointed Electoral Commissioner in 1966.

He served in this post until 1972 when he was appointed Secretary for the Department of Internal Affairs.

He stood down in 1974 to pursue personal interests.

In 1992, Kaumi was elected Member of Parliament for the Ijivitari Open Electorate.

He served only one (1) term in office before losing his seat in the 2002 General Elections.