Seven unopposed ward councilor candidates announced in Morobe, including deputy governor Willie Simbisi

Morobe Elections Manager Simon Soheke confirming LLG nominations data submitted by his AROs in the respective LLGs *(Supplied Image)*

The Morobe Provincial Election Office has confirmed that seven candidates have been nominated unopposed in the 2025 Local Level Government (LLG) elections and are expected to be officially declared as ward councilors upon the formal completion of polling and counting processes.

Among the unopposed candidates is current Deputy Governor of Morobe Province.

Provincial Elections Manager, Simon Soheke, clarified that although the announcements made by Assistant Returning Officers may appear as declarations, they remain provisional until the completion of all formal election procedures.

“Seven candidates are unopposed and although those announcements from the Assistant Returning Officers on the ground can be seen as declarations, it is still in the form of announcements of the nomination results,” Soheke said.

“The formalities are that we have to go through polling, proceed with the counting, and when we are ready to make declarations for all the ward councilors, then these unopposed candidates will also be signing the writs to be officially declared before we return the writs.”

The unopposed candidates are from the following wards; Wards 6 and 21 of Mape LLG, Finschhafen District, Ward 13 of Yabim LLG, Finschhafen District, Ward 13 of Deyamos LLG, Kabwum District, Ward 1 of Leron/Wantuat Rural LLG, Markham District, Ward 12 of Onga/Waffa Rural LLG, Markham District, Ward 8 of Ahi LLG, Lae Urban District

Regarding Mr. Simbisi’s current role, Soheke clarified that while he remains the deputy governor, he is currently restricted from exercising any official powers associated with the position.

“He is still the Deputy Governor but sort of without a portfolio at the moment I should say. This is because as soon as he is confirmed to contest, his power as the Deputy Governor to access government files or funds is ceased,” the provincial election manager said.

Soheke explained that winning a ward councilor or LLG presidency does not automatically guarantee a return to the Deputy Governor position.

He said the decision rests with Morobe Governor Luther Wenge, who will determine whether to reappoint Mr. Simbisi after the election.

With nominations successfully closed across all 37 LLGs - the final being Yus LLG in Kabwum District on Sunday, May 4, campaigning is now in full swing. The campaign period will run for 11 weeks, with polling scheduled to begin on July 12, 2025.