Slow nomination in Western Highlands blamed on late training for AROs

Nominations for ward councilors in Western Highlands Province got off to a slow start with election manager Philip Telape admitting late training of assistant returning officers as one of the main causes.

Since last Friday, nomination forms were dispersed to the respective 11 LLG offices in the province, however, nominations were taken at a snail's pace.

Telape told NBC News that only 20 nominations were made on Monday, with 2 from Baiyer LLG, 2 for Mala Kinjibi LLG, one nomination made in Muglamp LLG, and Hagen Urban LLG recorded 15 nominations.

He said AROs for the seven other LLGs have yet to update the provincial election office of their nominations.

The Western Highlands election manager emphasized that while funding from the National Government is yet to come, the provincial electoral office is using money given for training to train the AROs and to disperse the nomination forms to the 11 LLGs in Western Highlands Province.

"We are using a K5,000 given for training and nomination for the 11 LLGs to train AROs and also to distribute the nomination forms, where Nominations will end on Thursday, 31st April 2025," he said.

Mr. Telape urged all the intending and incumbent ward councilors to pay their K200 nomination fee using normal bank slips, indicating their names and ward number contested.

Meanwhile, Western Highlands has also reported a peaceful start of nomination with intending and incumbent ward councilors quietly paying their nomination fees at their respective LLG office in the districts.

Western Highlands will join its other sister provinces in the Highlands to vote for the ward councilors whilst councilors elect will represent their people and vote for the president for each of the 11 LLGs in the province.