Government introduces new voting methods for LLG President elections

The voting of Presidents in July's Local Level Government election will be a little different from previous LLG elections.

The elections will be different in that, most provinces will see people vote the LLG president while in a few provinces the village councilors will vote the LLG president.

The National Executive Council approved methods were presented to Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai on Friday by Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs Minister, Soroi Eoe

"After the careful consideration and noting of issues and circumstances relating to previous LLG election matters and considering the current law and Order problems, NEC has come up with these methods.

"Most importantly we want to make these methods available for the provinces to choose as their democratic right to elect their representative based on choices made by the respective provincial governments,"Mr Eoe said.

The first method is for people to vote for the president, while the second method allows for Ward Councilors to vote for the president.

Provinces where Ward Councilors will vote the LLG Presidents includes Hela, Enga, Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Jiwaka, Simbu and Morobe.

The presidents of the remaining 12 provinces; East Sepik, West Sepik, Madang, Northern, Alotau, Central, Western, Gulf, Manus, New Ireland, West New Britain, and East New Britain will be voted by the people.

Tentative dates on the election schedule have been put out; Writs will be issued on Thursday 25th of July, nomination closes 1st of August, polling starts on Saturday 24th August and ends Friday 6th September. Writs must be returned on or before 27th September.

Mr. Eoe is appealing to the provincial administrators, Ward Councilors, public servants and the communities to take ownership of the LLG and Ward Elections and support the PNG Electoral Commission conduct a successful election.