89,113 can vote in by-election

MOST of the 89,113 eligible voters are expected to vote on April 3 when polling starts for the vacant Moresby North West seat in Port Moresby, according to the PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC).
This follows the issue of writs by Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae in Port Moresby yesterday.
The seat became vacant after the passing of sitting member Sir Mekere Morauta on Dec 19.
Acting electoral commissioner Simon Sinai said a budget of K4.2 million was submitted to the national government to run the by-election.
He said election operations officer and former Bougainville acting election manager Desmond Timiyaso had been appointed as the returning officer.
Timiyaso will be assisted by five assistant returning officers representing North West wards one, seven, eight, 10 and 11.
“The one-day polling will be conducted in the entire electorate, a total of 89,113 eligible voters will participate in the by-election and the 2017 electoral roll will be used for voters to mark their names and cast their votes,” he said.
“There are a total of 112 polling teams.
“Ward one will have 17 teams; ward seven, 23 teams; ward eight, 13 teams; ward 10, 28 teams and ward 11, 27 teams.
“A new strategy has been adapted to allow for two separate entry and exit points during polling.
“One queue for males and the other for females and people with special needs, so they will have their own entry points to cast their votes.
“The Covid-19 safety protocols will also be observed during the by-election.
“Counting of primary or first preference votes and quality checks will be done at the ward level while eliminations will be done at the selected central counting venue,” Sinai said.