Porgera-Paiela finalizes polling preparations for 67,800 voters

The Porgera-Paiela Electorate in Enga Province is finalizing preparations ahead of polling tomorrow, with nearly 68,000 eligible voters expected to cast their ballots.

The newly created electorate has been without a representative since the passing of its inaugural Member of Parliament, the late Maso Karipe, nearly two years ago.

Following the candidate briefing held yesterday, electoral officials today conducted a pre-count of ballot papers in the provincial capital. A total of 67,800 ballot papers will be distributed into 54 ballot boxes across the four local level governments - Mulitaka, Porgera Urban, Porgera Rural, and Paiela Hewa.

Provincial Election Manager Anton Iamau told NBC National News that polling teams are working to ensure all logistics are in place.

Candidates have also raised concerns about how ballot boxes will be securely transported to remote polling stations, especially in isolated areas like the Nete region.

Despite these logistical challenges, the Election Manager and his team are committed to ensuring polling proceeds as scheduled.