Electoral Commission

While this matter was filed on May 24 waiting to go before court, other candidates and their supporters took issues into their own hands on Wednesday and disrupted flights into the Kagamuga airport by sitting and protesting on the tarmac.

Air Niugini this morning resumed flights into Mt Hagen after Police managed to get the supporters out.

James Yoka Ekip and Simon Sanagke filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, and today asked the court through their lawyer to stay the decision of the National Court, dated 4 May, which refused an application they had earlier filed.    

Freddie Kumai said for too long the people of West New Britain, especially Talasea electorate have been neglected and have missed out on spinoff benefits from the oil palm industries.

"We have been missing out and it's about time we take back what is rightfully ours.”

 "It is our birth right and we must take it back," Kumai told the people at Valopu village.

Contesting under the New Generation Party, Kumai said school drop outs and family will be his main concern if he wins in this election.

The Electoral Commission says these are just preliminary figures which will be confirmed and announced by Commissioner Patilias Gamato on Monday.

The Highlands region has the highest number of candidates 852 candidates contesting the 40 seats, Momase region has 719 candidates contesting the 30 seats.

Southern region’s 23 seats will be contested by 716 candidates while in the New Guinea Islands region, 328 will be running for the 17 seats.

East New Britain has 81, Autonomous Region of Bougainville 73, West New Britain 68, Manus 60 and New Ireland 46.

This is to avoid a rush hour at the end of the day.

Speaking to Loop PNG Returning Officer for Sohe Open, Wesley Korapeba, appealed to all nominees to come early today to avoid a rush of nominations.

“We have sent out messages over the radio for those intending candidates to come in a bit earlier and get themselves nominated to avoid these last minute rush business,” he said.

As the time for nominations are reduced to hours, Returning Officers throughout the country are expected to receive a rush of nominations on the last day,

The name Okuk first entered the corridors of Parliament in 1972 when firebrand, vocal and forthright Chimbu politician, Iambakey Okuk was voted in.

Later knighted, Sir Iambakey was noted for his forthright approach to issues of local and national importance and left a lasting legacy to the type of leadership, power and charisma he exuded.

However, the name had  disappeared from the political scene until Sir Iambakey’s  late son Tangil also contested in Chimbu but was not successful.

Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) for  Moresby Northeast Electorate accepted one candidate yesterday, bringing the total to six candidates as of 5pm yesterday.

Two from the six are contesting under a party – John Kaupa with PNG National Party and Andrew Mald with THE Party.

Two more nominations for Northwest Electorate were accepted yesterday bringing the total to seven candidates as of 5pm. Only one candidate is under a party – Eddie Aila with Melanesia Alliance Party.

Concerned returning officers said no cash will be taken in at nominating offices for candidates to file their nominations.

Returning Officer for Rigo, Virgil Waisa said these are strict instructions coming from the Electoral Commission since the issuing of writs last Thursday.

All monies should be deposited into the Electoral Commission Trust Account at BSP Boroko branch: Account number 1000489658.

“We will only accept BSP deposit slips showing the amount paid in full which we will keep for record for the Electoral Commission,” Waisa said.

O’Neill is in Mendi and is expected to arrive anytime soon. People have lined the road with placards, banners, painted vehicles all showing support for the Prime Minister and his PNC Party.

O’Neill nominates in Pangia today to retain his Ialibu-Pangia seat. It is too early to know how many candidates will be contesting in this electorate.

 Loop PNG will provide the complete information of the number of candidates running against the Prime Minister by the close of nomination next week.

Police have started since early this morning as the signing of the writs will take place at the Government House today.

Security is being guaranteed by police that there will be no disruption today before, during and after the opening of the nominations and signing of the writs.

According to NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Ben Turi, more than a thousand officers are ready to provide security starting today and onwards into the campaigning, polling and counting periods.

The general public is advised to be security conscious and observant as today’s event unfolds.

NCD Metropolitan police commander Ben Turi stated this when he called on all NCD regional and open intending candidates to abide by rules and regulations during the election period.Turi spoke with Loop PNG about election operations in place, in anticipation of the start of nominations this Thursday (April 20) in the nation’s capital.

He made special mention on the scrutineers and supporters that frequent the streets in trucks with loud hailers, calling on them to be mindful of the times that they carry out this form of campaigning.