Morobe on alert as by-election dates announced

Morobe Province is on high alert after the PNG Electoral Commission released tentative dates for the Morobe Provincial by-election yesterday.

Acting Electoral Commissioner Margaret Vagi confirmed that the dates are tentative and subject to the availability of funding.

According to the notice, the issue of writs is scheduled for March 12, with counting expected to conclude by June 12.

Morobe Elections Manager Simon Soheke confirmed that the dates have been set for both the Morobe Provincial seat and the Telefomin Open electorate, which will be conducted simultaneously following the deaths of late Governor Luther Wenge and Telefomin MP Solan Mirisim.

Mr Soheke told NBC News that while the dates have been announced, a final confirmation will be made next week once funding and other requirements, including common roll updates, are settled.

“Initially, my office submitted a budget of K23 million to conduct the by-election. This budget is currently under review and may increase,” he said.

“Until the funding reaches the Morobe office before next Thursday, a final announcement will be made on whether the by-election will proceed as planned.”

Meanwhile, members of the Morobe Tutumang [Provincial Assembly] have agreed during last Tuesday’s February 24, 2026 Provincial Budget sitting to seek the Supreme Court’s interpretation regarding the province’s governorship.

The move follows ongoing confusion among both the public and members of the assembly over who should occupy the Governor’s seat.

The question is whether the Provincial Member elected in the by-election will automatically become Governor and head of the Tutumang, or whether the assembly will retain the authority to keep Finschhafen MP Rainbo Paita, whom they elected earlier, as Governor.

The Tutumang now has about six days to obtain a Supreme Court interpretation before the scheduled issue of writs on March 12.