SERIOUS concerns have been raised that the Limited Preferential Voting (LPV) system may not work successfully in the local level government (LLG) election.
LLG election managers yesterday raised concerns over the number of candidates that would contest in each wards and the legal implication of the postponement of the election.
“We have experienced in past elections that in some wards in Morobe, there were councillors who were elected unopposed, in other cases there were only two or three candidates contesting.
“What do we do here?” a senior LLG election manager said.
The Electoral Commission yesterday confirmed that the LPV system would be used in the LLG election.
“We can not use the old system of First-Past-The-Post. It is now law that the LPV is the new voting system for both national and LLG elections,” Media adviser to the Electoral Commission Mark Karambi said.
Legal opinion obtained by The National was that the postponement was in breach of the Organic Law on provincial and LLG.
“LLG elections by law should be run three months after the general election,” Mr Karambi said.
“However, there is also a provision in law for the Electoral Commissioner to change dates if he wishes to take into consideration situations that may arise and affect the smooth conduct of the election.” he said.
Mr Trawen said he would prepare a submission for the new government in relation to the postponement of the local level government election.
The postponement of the election which was initially planned for Aug 6 when writs would be open and returned on the Oct 30 meant that all presidents and members of the LLG remain in office until such time when the writs issued.
It also meant that all presidents remain members of the provincial assemblies, provincial cabinets and as members of the Joint District Planning and Budget Priority Committees while the deputy governors continue to hold offices.
Mr Karambi said the LLG election would cost K50 million.