INTER-Government Relations Minister Job Pomat will issue a total of 326 writs for the local level government (LLG) elections in April.
Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen told an election workshop in Alotau yesterday that the LLG elections are tentatively planned to be held in accordance with the following programme;
Issue of writs: Thursday, April 17, 2008 (4.00pm);
Close of nomination: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 (4.00pm);
Start of polling: Saturday, May 17, 2008;
End of polling: Friday, June 21, 2008;
Return of writs: Friday, June 30, 2008
He said there would be seven days nomination period from 7/04/08 to 23/04/08, four weeks campaign period (20/03/08 to 17/05/08), and 44 days polling and counting period (17/05/08 to 30/05/08)
Mr Trawen said he was advised by the Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs that there are 299 rural Logs and 27 urban Logs totaling 326 Logs throughout PNG and 6,003 wards.
He said the Minister for Inter-Government Relations will issue 326 writs altogether.
He said the LPV voting system will apply during the LLG elections.
Mr Trawen said the candidate poster and new ballot paper systems must be used in LLG elections as required by law.
“However, the form of candidate poster and ballot paper can be modified from the ones used in the general election.”
He said it meant that the Electoral Commission can adopt a much simpler process for conducting the LLG elections.