Jiwaka LLG Elections set to begin Tuesday
Polling for the long-delayed Local Level Government elections in Jiwaka Province will start on Tuesday, 28 October.
Election preparations began on Saturday, October 25, with pre-counting and confirmation of ballot papers, and the distribution of ballots based on the 2022 common roll update. Ballots and election materials are being deployed to 223 council wards across the province.
Jiwaka's election manager, Rosie Pandihau, said “Ballots and election materials for the remote Jimi and Kambia areas will be dispatched today, and for wards with road access, distribution will take place tomorrow [Monday] ahead of polling on Tuesday”.
Ms Pandihau urged candidates and voters to participate peacefully and ensure that ballot boxes are returned safely for counting to identify the elected councilors.
“There will be no police personnel on the ground due to funding constraints,” she said. “It is the responsibility of contesting candidates to safeguard their own boxes.”
She also addressed concerns surrounding a possible protest over the creation of 37 new council wards in the newly formed Kuna-Komo and Kambia LLGs in the Anglimp South Waghi electorate.
“The Electoral Commission in Jiwaka will proceed with the elections as planned. We have limited power to declare an election failed before polling,” Miss Pandihau said.
NBC News is aware that a petition regarding the new wards has been submitted to the Election Manager, but a copy was not available at the time of reporting.