Electoral Commissioner proposes LLG elections start after Independence anniversary

Sunday, 6 July 2025, 3:29 pm

PNGEC Commissioner Simon Sinai (NBC News)

PNG Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai, has proposed a delay in the commencement of polling for the 2025 Local Level Government (LLG) Elections.

He has cited the need for better preparedness and smoother execution of the process, recommending that polling begin after the country’s Independence celebrations.

Commissioner Sinai has proposed the election timetable to be revised as follows:

Commencement of Polling: 27 September 2025

Close of Polling: 10 October 2025

Commencement of Counting: 11 October 2025

Return of Writs: on or before 17 October 2025

The revised timetable, which will be formally announced by the Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs also includes a carefully considered adjustment to the duration of the polling and counting periods.

There will also be a plan for supplementary elections in those LLGs where more complex administrative irregularities have been identified and where incomplete redistributions will prevent proper conduct of the elections.