Calls grow to postpone LLG elections over student exam fears

A concerned group is calling on the government to defer the Local Level Government [LLG] elections scheduled for September 27, 2025, warning that the timing could disrupt national examinations for students across Papua New Guinea.

Grade 8, 10s, and 12 students are due to sit their exams starting October 6, just days after polling, raising fears over transport disruptions, security risks, and distractions that could affect both attendance and performance.

Spokesperson Alfie Mori said the welfare of students must come first.

“We want the government and the Electoral Commission to prioritize students’ well-being and defer the LLG elections to a later date, ensuring a safe and stable environment for exams,” he said.

Mori said education is the cornerstone of the nation’s future and should not be compromised for political timetables.

“Sacrificing the academic success of thousands of children across Papua New Guinea for the sake of an election schedule is both unfair and unnecessary,” he said.

The group maintains that a short deferment would protect both the integrity of the education system and the electoral process, ensuring students can sit their exams without obstacles.