2022 National General Elections

They engage in all sorts of campaign activities with unhealthy foods consumed and amid the excitement are unwarranted activities going on. The result could be deadly.

These were the warnings by the Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority Director for Public Health Services, Dr. Max Manape, when officiating the closing Trainers of Trainers (ToT) workshop for COVID-19 routine immunization at Aiyura, Obura/Wonenara district.

Provincial Election Manager, Benjamin Kliawi said seven candidates were nominated on Thursday, 19^th May, while one candidate signed the nomination forms on Friday 20^th.  

The New Ireland Provincial seat is yet to register a female candidate vying to take the Provincial top post.

Among the seven candidates nominated on Thursday, included New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan, the stronghold of the People’s Progress Party.

Other candidates include;

Namatanai Open Returning Officer, Tifi Taylor told this newsroom that the 13 candidates nominated in Namatanai town. Each nominee came with two witnesses.

Sitting MP Walter Schnaubelt running under the National Alliance Party, also nominated, as well as former Namatanai MP Byron Chan, who nominated under the People’s Progress Party. One of the 13 is female candidate, Gerthude Sialir. Mrs Sialir is running as an independent candidate. 

The Returning Officer said as off midday yesterday, no candidate approached the nomination grounds.

In the Moresby North West electorate, Ipi Park at Hohola received a few interesting election nominees who for the first time, made public their intention to run for office. Among them is Singer Songwriter Anslom Nakikus.

Nominations for Moresby North West began on Thursday with a rowdy start, however, the second day of nominations were quite slow and quiet.

Returning Officer for North West, Vincent Manukayasi, stated that many candidates nominated yesterday because there was a confusion with the nomination dates. 

The first to nominate on Thursday, May 19 was Matilda Koma, so far the only female candidate from the Woitape LLG. She was the first on site and nominated at 3:52pm.

Returning Officer, Theodore Maia said supporters of candidates arrived in respectable numbers and caused no hindrance to operations.

Maia encourages that all involved in the hype of the election period, especially for the duration of nominations must be considerate.

“My message to them is to make sure that the election must be done in a proper way to allow for our candidates to come in,” he said.

Day 1 of nominations on Thursday 19^th May got off to a slow start for Moresby North West. Anna Bais was the only candidate to nominate at the Ipi Park, in Hohola.

In Moresby South, five candidates nominated. They included Michelle Hauofa who is running for office under the banner of People’s Party. Hauofa was the only female who nominated on that day at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.

“My appeal to road users accessing roads in Central Province to be mindful of their own safety because there are chances for more accidents during the NGE period.

“Let us be considerate with our actions. Do not drink and drive.”

He made this statement after an accident along the Hiritano Highway, near Laloki involving a PMV bus and truck this week.

“Investigations now confirm that the driver of the PMV bus was under the influence of alcohol.

“A passenger was seriously injured while the rest were traumatized and suffered minor injuries,” he added.

He made this call after nominating to defend the Hela regional seat today. He nominated alongside Member for Tari-Pori and Prime Minister, James Marape.

Undialu urged the people to assist the Electoral Commission and the police to conduct a fair election. He said Hela would never be the same again, despite critics on social media depicting a bad image of Hela and its people.

Marape for the first time nominated as Prime Minister after becoming the CEO of the country in 2019. This is his fourth term to nominate after entering politics in 2007.
Speaking during his nomination, the Prime Minister urged the people to respect the electoral process and allow for a fair and transparent election.

Meantime, straight after nominating, Marape vowed in front of his people in Tari that he will resign if PANGU Pati will not form the next Government.

Gazelle Returning officer, John Wartovo confirmed the nominations of the candidates stating that Wong was the first to nominate as nominations kicked off at 1pm. Wong is contesting under the United Resources Party Banner.

Tabar was the third person to nominate for the seat.

Wong was accompanied by former Gazelle MP, Chief Sinai Brown, Livuan Reimber LLG President and Gazelle DDA Board vice chairman, Sam Piniau and his electoral officers.