Motu Koita community demands immediate conduct of assembly elections
A frustrated Motu Koita Community together with 27 intending candidates gathered at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium at Konedobu on Monday [yesterday] to petition the Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Soroi Eoe, and the Electoral Commission for the immediate conduct of the Motu Koita Assembly Elections.
With support from the Member for Moresby North West, the people from Motu Koita gathered at the Sir Hubert Murray stadium to air their frustration and concerns over the delay of the Motu Koita Election.
The 27 intending candidates, community stakeholders, and the people presented a petition to the Governor for NCD Powes Parkop highlighting the urgent need for democratic representation and governance within the Motu Koita region.
The petition cites Section 50 of the PNG Constitution, which guarantees the right to vote and stand for public office.
It states that the ongoing delay in holding elections is unconstitutional and denies the Motu Koita people their democratic rights.
Since the expiration of the election writs in October 2023, the current assembly has continued to operate unlawfully, leading to growing unrest within the community.
The people claim they have been deprived of their democratic rights for far too long and it is imperative that the election be conduct without further delay to restore transparency, accountability, and trust in our governance.
The petition states the Motu Koita Assembly Act 2007 mandates elections every five years. However, the current leadership has held office for over seven years, exceeding its legal term.
K750,000 was allocated by NCDC in 2023 for the MKA elections, yet the elections were deferred multiple times.
On 30 October 2023, the Minister instructed the deferral of the election to the first quarter of 2024, which did not happen.
On 12 July 2024, Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai confirmed that the elections would be conducted in late 2024, but they were again delayed without legal justification.
The people are now demanding for firm and immediate date for the Motu Koita Assembly Elections.
The petitioners have given the Minister and Electoral Commissioner a deadline of twenty-one [21] days to respond, warning that failure to act will result in legal action.
Meanwhile, NBC News is in the process to get comments from the Electoral Commissioner, Simion Sinai and Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Soroei Eoe.