National General Elections

Most Polling sites started receiving votes as of 11am, without any major hiccups. 

Five polling booths were set up at Boreboa Primary School for Ward 10, North West. Four booths were arranged in alphabetical order while the fifth booth was set aside for residents of Tokam and Telikom Compound.

Despite this polling booth set up in an orderly manner, many long-time residents didn't find their names on the electoral roll.

Tokam Barracks had only 89 names out of 2000 plus voters and 79 out of 3000 were eligible for Telikom compound.

Representatives of the estate said they are fed up with having to explain to their employers of the incompetence delivered for North East Polls. 

Garima Tongia, Founding Chairman of the Skyview Estate, said that if it is deferred to Monday 11th, they will not allow any polling teams to set up in that area.

Sitting Member for Rigo Open, Lekwa Gure and his wife are among those who were able to vote. Both opened the polling both by being first to cast their votes.
 
At Kemabolo Village, polling began at 10am. 
 
Polling Officer Bernard Tau said the locality has 800 eligible voters however 189 names have been displaced. 
 
Tau said while polling continues uninterrupted, the update of the common roll and electoral books is the main issue.
 
Jerome Lei, Ward Councillor for Gabone Village shared similar sentiments. 
 

Polling for the Enga Province started today, July 7.

Commissioner Manning who is in the Highlands overseeing the election security operations said, “The security operation focus has been in the highlands provinces based on the past experiences and intelligence reports but so far Hela has been reported relatively quiet with few isolated incidents which have been managed.

People in the Wabag electorate led a protest in Wabag town demanding the deferral of polling for the Wabag District to today.

The Royal PNG Constabulary in a statement said more details will be revealed soon as to the reasons for their demand. Security personnel and electoral officials are currently talking to the protesters.

More than 1500 members of the Joint Security Task Force are now in the Enga Province to provide security for the polling, which began today for the six open seats and one regional seat.

She made sure polling was conducted smoothly at Bereina station in Kairuku District, Central Province this morning. 

According to voter Nicholas Aitsi, villagers along the coast of Kairuku LLG have voted peacefully. More than 90 villages and communities have gone through polling however, only some minor hiccups. 

Meantime, locals raised concerns that the electoral roll was not updated with many names missing. 

West Sepik Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Inspector Joe Poema, said the Provincial Election Steering Committee (PESC) was established and has been identifying hotspot areas, gathering information and intelligent reports.

He said they were conducting election briefings weekly to ensure policemen and women are taking ownership of the security aspect of the election before going into the election and the polling periods.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Jacob Singura said K1million is allocated for security operations for Morobe. A big portion of this money will be used to cater for the allowances of the additional manpower from PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) and the PNG Correctional Services (PNGCS) as well as logistical support for police.

“Manpower and logistical support are our biggest challenge, especially for a province like Morobe with a big landmass and scattered population,” said Singura.