Are the LLG elections legal?

IT is time the Electoral Commissioner and the National Government to come clear on the legality of the 2019 LLG elections.
The National Court found Electoral Commissioner Patalias Gamato guilty for defying a court order in 2016 to conduct the Supplementary LLG elections in the 27 failed LLGs which consists of more than 600 LLG wards whose elections were declared failed by the Electoral Commission in 2013.
In the Southern Highlands, six of the LLGs – Erave Rural LLG, Kagua Rural LLG, Poroma Rural LLG, Mendi Urban LLG, Ialibu Basin LLG and South Wiru – were declared failed.
This has affected more than 150 ward councillors and thousands of people who were denied their constitutional rights to have a local level government for the past five years.
Intending candidates in this year’s LLG elections should be mindful of using resources to campaign because of the unresolved issue with the integrity of this very important constitutional office.
The Electoral Commission has created a mess in the 2013 LLG elections and that should not be allowed to happen again.

Michael Puringi & Nelson Kira
Imbonggu District &
Kagua Rural LLG