PNG Electoral Commission further delays by-elections for Sohe, Maprik, Madang and Porgera-Paiela

The issue of writ for the by-elections scheduled for last Thursday [February 29] has been deferred to this month due to lack of funding, Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai says.

He said the cash-flow situation in the country has made it difficult to secure necessary funds to conduct the by-elections as initially scheduled.

“We have rescheduled the by-elections to this month with confirmed dates of the election schedule. I’m confident we will secure some funding in time to progress the by-elections,” Sinai said.

Mr. Sinai upon legal advice confirmed that the by-election for Madang will not be conducted as it still has outstanding courts issues and will only proceed once settled through normal arbitration by the Court.

Sohe in Oro will go ahead with its court-ordered by-election along with Maprik open [East Sepik] and Porgera-Paiela [Enga], whose seats were left vacant by the death of MPs.

Sinai said with the Local Level Government elections set for the second quarter of 2024, he is optimistic that the funds for the by-elections will be released by the responsible agencies.

“I want to thank key stakeholders especially the Departments of Finance and Treasury for their continuous support in ensuring we perform our constitutional function to conduct and deliver elections,” he said.

“I also want to thank the people in the affected electorates for your patience. The issues on hand are beyond our control but I can assure you that by-elections will be conducted in the respective electorates over the next three months, where you can have a say in electing a leader to represent you in Parliament.”

The revised election schedule for the by-elections are as follows;

Thursday, March 21 – 27, 2024 – Issue of Writs/Nominations [7 days]

Thursday, March 21 – May 17, 2024 – Campaign period [8 weeks]

Saturday, May 18 – 31, 2024 – Polling period [14 days]

Friday, May 31 – June 21, 2024 – Counting period/results [21 days]