Boycott affects LLG Elections in Jiwaka

The Jiwaka Province is a day behind schedule on voting in the Nationwide Local Level Government election.

This followed a peaceful protest staged by concerned elites of the Anglimp and Kudjip LLGs in the Anglimp South Waghi electorate of Jiwaka.

They demanded a stop to the polling for the two respective LLGs until they received a satisfactory response from the Electoral Commission and the responsible authorities of the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs.

The protest was staged following the creation of additional council wards in these two LLGs and speculation about increasing ghost figures or population increase in the newly procured wards.

As of noon yesterday, the Pre-counts and distribution of ballot boxes and election materials for the North Waghi, Jimi, and parts of Anglimp South Waghi electorate were put on hold, following the boycott.

The protesters held a banner that read 'Stop illegal wards in the Anglimp Kuli electorate, we want 37 existing wards or declare a failed election'.

The LLG election manager explained that the Electoral Commission office in Jiwaka has no power to declare a failed election but only facilitates the delivery of the election.

"You must have facts for me to confirm the figure you have, right now, my figures do not match what you have," she said.

Pre-count and distribution of ballots and election materials for polling today is suspended, awaiting a response and directions from the Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai, about matters questioning the legality of the new wards procured in the Kudjip and Anglimp LLG.