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By SHEILA LASIBORI
A COMMUNITY in remote North Fly district of Western province is running
out of time for its eligible voters to go to the polls as the extra four
days awarded by the Electoral Commission ends tomorrow.
A section of the Star Mountain local level government (LLG) community
just outside the Ok Tedi mine site has been kept away from participating
in the countrywide polling since June 30 due to bad weather.
Thick clouds covering the area have made it impossible for helicopters
to transport polling officials and ballot boxes.
Western province election manager Sponsa Navi said yesterday he had
instructed the pilot of a helicopter to check for breaks in the clouds
to fly the four polling teams and ballot boxes into the Star Mountains.
North Fly provincial police commander Chief Insp Tobby Hamago has also
expressed concerns that eligible voters from the area would miss out on
polling.
Mr Navi said apart from the problem experienced in the Star Mountains,
most areas in the province had been completed and counting was expected
to start next Monday.
Counting for the North Fly Open and Western Regional seats will be held
in Kiunga, counting for Middle Fly Open in Balimo, while provincial
capital Daru will host counting for the South Fly Open seat.
Mr Navi said the other area of concern had been the Olsobip LLG, which
was also covered by cloud, but recently cleared and made way for six
polling teams to be transported to the area.
Polling for Olsobip was conducted yesterday and the polling teams and
the ballot boxes are expected in Kiunga today.
“The situation right now is (bad) weather,” Mr Navi said.
“I have sent a helicopter an hour (as of 4pm yesterday) ago to check for
clearance.”
Mr Navi said the Nomad LLG had its one-day polling yesterday and the
team was expected in Kiunga today, adding the only problem experienced
was bad weather.
 
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