Western Highlands pushes ahead with common roll update despite funding delays

Western Highlands Election Manager Philip Telape says Western Highlands will complete the roll update within the given timeframe despite the delay in the process of electoral funds from HQ to provinces. (NBC News)

Western Highlands Province is in the second phase of training for the nationwide Common Roll Update Exercise, despite funding delays affecting these electoral operations in the country.

The province has already completed its first-tier training, and this week began training its 11 Local Level Government [LLG] Coordinators and support staff who will oversee the roll update exercise across the province.

Western Highlands Election Manager Philip Telape said the second-tier training is a critical step in preparing officers for the enrolment and verification exercise, which is expected to run from June to October this year.

Mr. Telape also said the next stage will involve training enrolment agents and ward committee members who will be responsible for carrying out the actual roll update in communities.

"We have completed the first-tier training and are now conducting the second-tier training for our 11 LLG Coordinators and their support staff. The third-tier training for Enrolment Agents and Ward Committees will follow immediately after this," Mr Telape said.

He acknowledged that funding delays from the Electoral Commission headquarters in Port Moresby may affect the pace of the exercise nationwide.

The 11 LLG Coordinators of Western Highlands who completed the second-tier training for LLG Coordinators and support staff yesterday. (Image: Supplied)

"All electoral funding is processed through one payment system at headquarters and, with all provinces accessing the same system, it can take some time for funds to reach the provinces. However, this will not stop the Common Roll Update from progressing in Western Highlands," he said.

Meanwhile, Acting Electoral Commissioner Margaret Vagi has tasked the provincial election offices to ensure funds received are properly acquitted and reported back to headquarters on time.

Ms Vagi said timely acquittals would help reduce delays in future funding releases.

"One of the challenges we face is the delay in acquittals from provinces. We encourage all provincial offices to submit their reports promptly so that funding can be processed and released more efficiently," Ms. Vagi said.

The Western Highlands Election Manager also thanked the Western Highlands Provincial Government and Administration for their continued support to the provincial electoral office.

L-R) Deputy Electoral Commissioner Kila Vaname and Acting Electoral Commissioner Margaret Vagi recently were in Mt Hagen to sign an MoA with the WHPA for the common roll update exercise and other electoral activities. Ms. Vagi is urging provincial electoral offices to streamline their activities to avoid a "bottleneck" process. (NBC News)

He said he is hopeful that the province's four District Development Authorities would also assist with logistics and operational support during the roll update exercise, particularly following the recent Memorandum of Agreement signed between the Western Highlands Provincial Administration and the PNG Electoral Commission.

Despite the funding challenges, Mr. Telape remains confident the province will complete the Common Roll Update within the timeframe.

"We are committed to completing the exercise between June and October and ensuring eligible voters in Western Highlands are properly enrolled ahead of future elections," he said.