Deferral of LLG polling is unconstitutional and unfair

The deferral of polling for the Local Level Government election is unconstitutional and unfair, says former Madang Governor, Peter Yama.

Yama, who is now a candidate in the Usino/ Bundi by-election, says no one has the right to defer the election as the candidates have already paid their nomination fees.

"The constitution gives you the right to contest. The writs for the LLG election have been issued, and it is unconstitutional to defer it. Candidates have wasted their time, money, and resources in campaigning, and the deferral is unfair on them", Mr Yama says.

He adds that what the government has made is terribly wrong and has breached the constitution.

According to the founder of the People's Labour Party, the deferral is a slap in the face of the LLG candidates and shows the government does not care about the third level government election; that it is only interested in the by-elections.

Yama says, "The law allows them to run for the election, they have paid their nomination fees, and now they are ready to go into polling. How can the government defer because they have no money. There should be no excuse. They should find the money."

Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai, in a statement of June 30, states the event is faced with a range of complex and unresolved administrative and fiscal challenges, and the PNG Electoral Commission has determined that the previously agreed LLG election schedule will not be met, necessitating revision of the election timetable.

Sinai states he has made the decision after careful consideration and consultation with key stakeholders.

"The PNGEC acknowledges the frustrations this announcement will likely cause and wants to assure the public that the decision was not taken lightly".