PNG Local Level Government elections to be delayed for another 2 months

The countries Local Level Government elections schedule to start on the 25th of this month has been further deferred to the 26th of September this year.

Soroi Eoe the Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs said they had to defer the elections due to challenges the PNG electoral commission is facing.

The prolonged national census exercise initially scheduled for two weeks but was then extended for another two weeks is understood to be the cause of the LLG election deferral.

Minister Eoe who is the responsible government minister for Local Level Government's said, this advice was given to him by the PNG Electoral Commission.

“It affected the LLG Election preparation. The LLG Mangers appointed to be Assistant Returning Officers [AROs] for the LLG Election are currently becoming coordinators of the National Census.

“National Statistical Office is currently utilizing Public Servants at the Provincial, District and LLG levels to conduct the Census.

“These are the same people PNG Electoral Commission will use to conduct the LLG Election. Since the National Census is still in progress, it is only proper that the LLG Election be delayed,” Minister Eoe said.

He says there are other issues relating to proclamation and gazettal of new Wards and LLGs and given these challenges, it is only proper that the LLG Election be delayed and conducted after the National Census.

The Writs will now be issued at 4pm on Thursday, 26th September, nomination closes on Thursday, 3rd October at 4pm, polling starts on Saturday, 23rd November and ends on Friday, 6th December and on Friday 27th December Writs will be returned.

Minister Eoe has encouraged PNGEC to work closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure all pending issues are addressed amicably to allow for the election to be conducted in September.