ENB becomes first province to complete 2025 LLG elections

RO for ENB LLG election, Theresa Sam (in white), Deputy ENB Provincial Administrator, Nicholas Larme (in Black suit), and the Assistant Returning Officers for Rabaul Districts with writs for 23 LLGs and 380 Wards at PNGEC Head office today (Image: Supplied)

East New Britain Province is the first province to successfully complete its 2025 Local Level Government elections and return its writs.

Polling for the ENB LLG Election started on October 27 and ended on November 1.

Counting for ward councilors started on October 28 and ended on November 2, while the President from November 3 to 7.

Returning Officer, Theresah Sam, despite having issues with missing names on the electoral roll and the delayed release of polling allowances for security personnel, said the election was conducted peacefully throughout the nomination, campaign, polling, and counting periods.

The elections saw a total of 137 polling teams with 1,096 polling officials deployed to the LLGs and wards of East New Britain Province to conduct the elections.

Twenty-three [23] counting centers were established per LLG, with 529 counting officials engaged to count the ballot papers for the ward councilors and president seats.

A total of 397 security personnel were engaged to provide security during the polling and counting periods.

Deputy ENB Provincial Administrator Nicholas Larme said the election was conducted smoothly and peacefully and thanked the security personnel and stakeholders.

Out of 382 Ward councilors seats declared, two seats failed as a result of the death of the winning candidate during the election period.

The ENB 2025 LLG election saw a total of 1098 candidates that contested for the ward councilor seat and 260 for the President seat. Of these seats, 49 women contested, with only five emerging as winning candidates.

The PNG Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai commended the East New Britain team for conducting a smooth and successful Local Level Government election.

‘’This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the electoral officials, security personnel, stakeholders and the people of East New Britain, ‘’ Sinai said.