Gamato: Enrolment to begin

ELECTORAL Commissioner Patilias Gamato says enrolment nationwide should start on the third and fourth weeks of this month.
This follows the completion of training in East Sepik, Northern, West New Britain, East New Britain, Milne Bay and Central for returning officers (ROs), assistant returning officers (AROs) and local level government supervisors in preparation for the voter enrolment.
“It is expected that by November, all data collected in the districts should be sent to the data entry centre in the respective provincial headquarters for data entry to be done,” he said.
The commission’s ICT branch is buying necessary electronic equipment, including laptops, computers, scanners and printers, for the electoral roll update.
They will be installed in the data entry centres.
Gamato said the rollout of the voter enrolment in districts, LLGs and wards should start on Oct 16.
East Sepik will be the first to start as it is ahead of the other provinces.
Gamato said the necessary electronic equipment would be sent next week to the provinces for installation prior to the commencement of field work.
He said the appointments of returning officers and assistant returning officers were confirmed on Sept 12.
“No new appointments for ROs and AROs will be made unless death occurs – as in the case of the RO for Finschhafen in Morobe. A full list of the ROs and AROs will be published soon,” Gamato said.
Meanwhile, Central conducted training for its returning officers, assistant returning officers and LLG supervisors this week at Gaire village outside Port Moresby.