Dei Open by-election polling commences today

Security personnel and electoral officials gathered early this morning at the Kimininga Regional Police Barracks to distribute ballot boxes and election materials to the 51 polling sites across the Dei electorate as polling for the Dei by election begins today.

The ballot boxes and materials were then escorted under tight security to each of the polling venues.

Four remote and tribal-prone polling locations in Kurunga, Rulna, Minjim and Rangwan were airlifted by helicopter, with five separate trips made to deliver ballot boxes, election materials, security personnel and polling officials.

Polling is scheduled for one day only; however, this may be extended depending on how voting progresses at each polling venue.

A total of 59 polling teams have been deployed, supported by more than 450 security personnel from the Royal Papua New Guinea (RPNGC) and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) to ensure a safe and orderly polling process.

Almost 90,000 eligible voters of Dei will go into polls today with 25 candidates vying for the seat left vacant for three years after sitting MP Late Steven Pim passed away in 2023.