Polling

No names for Saroa voters

A polling booth was set up in the centre of the village for transparency. However, some eligible voters could not find their names on the common roll to cast their votes.

The wife of a Revival Church Pastor, Orefa Roger, shared that she was able to vote, but her daughter and aunt could not. 

"I think the issue regarding polling here is the update of the common roll. I voted for the leader I want, but my daughter and aunt's names are not on the list so (they were) sent back,” said Roger.

Polling Kicks Off In Rabaul Electorate

Rabaul Returning Officer, Babel Umri said the 18 polling teams were dispatched to the polling venues in the Kombiu, Balanataman, Watom and Rabaul Urban LLGs as per the gazetted polling schedule.

He said most of the teams were dispatched with limited election materials and presiding officers were forced to spend from their own pockets while the treasury office fast tracks payments.

Gulf Security Team Prepared

Gulf Provincial and Kerema Police Station Commander, Sergeant Michael Pakyei in a briefing last Friday said the week’s preparation was concentrated on airfares for security personnel travelling into the hinterlands of Gulf, which was set up as of Friday, July 1st.

Over 300 security personnel are on the ground to oversee safety during the polling and counting period, they include Mobile squad, Correctional Service officers, PNG Defence Force and Water Police from Port Moresby. Kerema police will be dispatched to escort the visiting officers and reservists. 

Sinai Speaks on polling schedules

Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai in an interview regarding polling schedules, explained the status of polling schedules for the Momase, NGI, and the Southern regions, with corrections made with the Highlands region then signed off on June 29th and June 30th for the three other regions.

Lae To Vote On July 4

Morobe Election Manager, Simon Soheke, clarified that the polling date, which was initially set for Tuesday, July 5th, has been brought back to Monday.

“Campaigning will end tomorrow, Friday, July 1st,” he stated.

“By midnight, all political rallies, campaigning using loudhailers and candidates’ gatherings must cease by tomorrow.

“On Saturday and Sunday, we will have an in-depth look at the candidates and on Monday, we’ll go into the polls.”

Schools to close, polling to start

Morobe’s provincial program advisor for education, Keith Tangui, said polling will not affect students’ learning as it was already factored into the 2022 academic calendar.

“The students will be home for two weeks of holiday, and that is the polling period,” said Tangui.

“The Electoral Commission has written to the Department of Education, to our Minister and the Secretary for Education, Dr Uke Kombra, especially for appointment of teachers to be polling officials for this election.

Polling yet to be completed in four provinces

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato confirmed today that polling in some LLGs in these provinces have been extended.

In Madang, polling in Arabaka Rural LLG and Josephstaal Rural LLG in the Middle Ramu District and Bundi LLG in the Usino Bundi District have requested for an extension.

For Enga, counting has started at most electorates while some LLGs have requested for polling extension.

In Gulf, polling in the remote parts of Kikori District has been extended while polling in Kerema District is complete and counting will commence on Thursday.

Porgera Mine employees go to polls

Many employees including contracted employees turned up and voted. 

Prior to polling, in the presence of the mine’s commissioned security officers accompanied by the community relations officers, mine site presiding officer Ronnie Pyatti broke open the seals of the ballots boxes for Enga Regional and the Lagaip-Porgera Open electorates.

Ms Pyatti explained that the ballot papers and the boxes were being shared between the mine site and the public servants at Paiam town.

She also reminded everyone of what they should do to avoid casting informal votes.

​WHP polling to start on Friday

Polling was delayed on Tuesday, July 4, because of issues with the electoral roll.

Pre-counting of ballot papers was done on Tuesday and Wednesday before polling can commence.

Provincial election manager, Philip Telape, told Loop PNG that polling materials and officials moved into the districts today to prepare for polling.

WHP consists of four districts: Dei, Mul-Baiyer, Hagen and Tambul-Nebilyer, with 305 wards and 432 polling teams.

Abau in Central Province completes polling

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 6th.

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