2017 National Election

Aroma Coast and Cloudy Bay LLGs completed polling on the weekend while one polling team for Amazon Bay LLG finished off today to complete polling for Abau.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato says that for Rigo Open, Rigo coast and central have completed polling while Rigo inland will be done by Wednesday, July 5.

All three LLGs in the Goilala electorate, Guari, Woitape and Tapini are expected to complete polling on July 6^th.

For Kairuku-Hiri Open, Hiri and Mekeo LLGs polling ends today.

Enga regional candidate Robert Pati has called on electoral officials and security personnel deployed to conduct elections in the Highlands region to be on alert.

Pati said this following rumours of ballot papers floating around with some marked as legal and ready to be counted in favour of certain candidates.

Pati said to elect good leaders, the elections must be transparent and violence free.

He highlighted that voters must exercise their democratic rights without ballot papers being hijacked by desperate candidates.

Sitting Governor for the National Capital District, Powes Parkop, said it was a long, challenging and tiring campaign for the candidates and the people have done well in keeping it relatively peaceful.

Parkop thanked all residents for the successful campaign period and said it showed a sign of progress and being more civil during the elections.

“I’m very confident that the election will continue to be peaceful in the nation’s capital.

When addressing the media today, Tkatchenko said the last thing we want is a failed election.

He said this following reports of ballot papers floating around, as published on social media.

“We need to get to the bottom of it immediately,” Tkatchenko said.

“We cannot allow candidates doing these illegal practices when we have a democratic system that is being run for the benefit of our people.

“People must vote freely without being cheated by these actions.

Voters assembled at the Marimari Haus Lotu polling venue early this morning only to be turned away by the polling team.

The team of five polling officers and one police officer arrived to find out that the electoral roll is yet to be printed by the electoral office in Bougainville.

The polling team says three polling venues in Ward five, North Nasioi, are yet to receive the electoral rolls as the electoral office in Bougainville has not printed enough.

"We are not promising overnight miracles,” says NA Party Leader, Patrick Pruaitch.  

“It will take time to work through current cash flow problems and to stabilise the economy.”

Pruaitch said the NA-led Government in 2002-2007 did rescue the country’s economy from a deficit to surplus budget.

He states that the current economic climate is challenging because of the K15 billion explosion in public sector debt in the past five years.

“Mi sindaun na askim Sir Michael Somare, mi tokim em papa las minute, mi senism tingting na laik ron lo eleksen,” Alan Bird said.  (I sat with Sir Michael Somare and told him at the last minute that I have changed my mind; I am thinking of contesting in the elections.)

“Papa tupla eleksen mi salensim yu, mi laik sanap ken, yu ting wanem?” (Father, for two elections, I have challenged you and am thinking of standing again, what is your opinion?

The PIF observer team to arrive in the country this week will comprise of Solomon Islands Electoral Commissioner Taeasi Sanga, Nauru Electoral Commissioner Joseph Cain and Tonga Electoral Commissioner Pita Vuki.

The mission will be supported by staff from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

The 14 days of nationwide polling will begin on June 24.

PIF Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor, said the Forum was pleased to accept the invitation from the Government of Papua New Guinea.

Hunters defeated at home

http://www.looppng.com/sport/hunters-defeated-home-61076

The SP Hunters seven game winning streak came to an end on Saturday night after being beaten by the last placed Tweed Heads Seagulls 14-10 at the National Football Stadium.

SMS marketing linking 2 million people in PNG

According to Electoral Commission, Moresby North-East Open has 105,000 voters, Moresby North-West 90,000 and Moresby South 70,000.

The total number of voters will also vote for the NCD Regional seat.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato said, there will be approximately 370 polling booths in 170 polling venues in the city.

The key multiple-booth polling places within the three NCD Open electorates are as follows:

Moresby North-East

                BOROKO SUBURB: Apex Park (4 booths) and Lahara Park (2 booths)