Electoral Commissioner Patilas Gamato

PNGEC wants to ensure that it has an accurate and credible roll for the upcoming elections.

Progressive reports presented by the Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato, at the National Council of Women’s workshop last week, showed projects that started in Alotau, Rigo and Kokopo District, are in their advanced stages.

Four weeks ago, K2.5 million was dispatched to provinces. This funding will be followed by another K3.2 million, to provide further support for the provinces in their updating exercises, says Gamato.

Speaking to political party executives in a recent workshop, Gamato said he was requested by the Government to separate both elections.

However, he could not under the current provisions of the Organic Law on National Elections and the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Government.

“I’ve written to Prime Minister advising him that unless there is change in law, we have to run them concurrently,” said Gamato.

National and LLG elections run over the same period however, polling dates vary.

Speaking from Irupara, Chief Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato says the exercise is the first since formally launching the nationwide Electoral Roll update last month at Kwikilla station, Rigo District.

The Roll update in Hula and Irupara signifies the start of the program nationwide.

He explained that the exercise in Hula was also conducted as an insight for their donors and stakeholders on the capabilities of what the current PNGEC administration can do.

Chief Secretary to Government Isaac Lupari revealed that all local level and provincial government heads will meet with Electoral Commissioner Patilas Gamato and the Election Steering Committee on April 11.       

“The Electoral Commissioner and the steering committee will brief provincial administrators in the planning process (for the 2017 election) so they can engage them in some discussions,” Lupari said.