Directives issued to Electoral Commission

The National Executive Council has issued a number of directives to the Electoral Commission today, and among them is to reinstate funding for the LLG elections, which is now at K150 million.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato delivered this to provincial election bosses at the Electoral Commission’s 3rd 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.

On top of this, a new legislative change has been made to how the LLG elections are conducted, including the return of writs for LLG elections to be completed within 14 days.

A decision has also been made to have the legislative change of LLG elections be conducted 2 years after the general elections and the return of writs be done after 14 days.

The NEC has also decided that all district CEOs will resume the role of returning officers for LLG elections; and the LLG elections will use the LPV system of voting.

Meantime, the commission’s immediate tasking is to work on polling schedules for the LLG elections.

(Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato)

Author: 
Salome Vincent