Motu Koita polling underway after long delay

Polling is underway for the long-overdue Motu Koita Assembly election, with voters turning out at 31 designated polling stations across 14 wards.

Despite earlier delays by the PNG Electoral Commission, eligible voters are now casting their ballots to elect new leaders. Over 20,000 registered voters are expected to participate.

Voters will elect a Chairman, 14 Ward Members, and two Women Representatives—one each from East and West Motu Koita.

According to the Presiding Officer, polling commenced on schedule at 8:00am and will close at 6:00pm.

Candidate for Pari Taoata, Tau Lauey Nao, thanked the Electoral Commission for finally starting polling after repeated delays.

He said the one-day polling period was sufficient for the estimated 1,000 voters in his constituency to exercise their democratic rights.

A total of 128 candidates are contesting various seats across Motu Koita East and West, including 18 women vying for leadership roles.

The Motu Koita Assembly is the legally recognized landowner representative body of the Motu and Koitabu people. It is a unique institution in Papua New Guinea, established by an Act of Parliament to represent the traditional landowners of the nation's capital.

Polling in Pari Taoata and other wards continues as voters patiently line up to make their choices.