By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
THE delayed local level government (LLG) elections will be in May, Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen announced yesterday.
Mr Trawen told reporters in Port Moresby that under Section 34(2) of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local-Level Governments (OLP&LLG), all the current LLG members (councillors and council president) will continue in office until writs are returned on June 30.
Mr Trawen said at his Boroko office that the writ will be issued on April 17. Nomination will close on April 23.
“Voting will commence on May 17 and end on June 21.
Mr Trawen said K46 million was needed to run this election in 278 LLG and 588 council wards.
He said a submission of this money has already been made to the National Executive Council.
“We did plan to conduct and conclude the LLG elections by last Nov as required by law. However, we were unable to do so as we had just completed the national elections.
“My officers needed a rest and also there was a need to review the electoral rolls.
“We have requested the Government to approve changes to the timetable and we are now urging all MPs to pass this amendment in the coming Parliament sitting.”
Meanwhile, Mr Trawen pointed out that council presidents were no longer members of the provincial assemblies and the position of the deputy governor is not reserved for a council president.
He explained that this change was made in the OLP&LLG and came into force on Jan 30, past year.
“But I understand that the Government has now proposed changes to reverse these changes,” he said.