Briefs

The National National

Polling team set for work
FORTY-THREE teams are set to conduct polling in the 17 Ahi local level government (LLG) wards in Lae and Nawaeb in Morobe. Ahi assistant returning officer Rhoda Nako said polling stationery, ballot papers and other things were ready but “we ran short of roll book”. “However, we managed to print additional books to conduct polling.” Nako said cheque for the polling teams’ advances was received late on Friday and she had spoken with staff from BSP in Lae and the money should have been ready before polling on Monday.

Vice president seat for women
NEW Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan recently announced that the government would be moving to make the LLGs government’s vice presidents seat be reserved seat for women. “This will allow for gender balance at the LLGs,” he added. Sir Julius said the government was determined to give the LLGs more autonomy and had moved to increase approved project funding for presidents to K200,000 and ward members will continue to receive ward level funding of K30,000.

Counting begins in Madang
COUNTING of ballots for 10 ward areas in Madang urban began yesterday following two days of polling on Monday. Provincial returning officer Justine Pantumari said seven wards in Madang that were scheduled for polling on Monday polled was delayed to Tuesday due to sufficient ward rolls.

Candidate attacks voter
A VOTER in Madang was beaten up by a candidate and his supporter on the eve of polling. The duo in Madang urban’s ward two assaulted two voters in their ward after they alleged that the voters planned to invite another candidate for a last minute campaign. Andrew Tounotuma said on Sunday a candidate and his supporters confronted another candidate and wanted to attack him. “I wanted to stop them but got hit in the face with iron walking stick. When I wanted to fight back, the candidate assaulted me from behind.”

Councillor steps down
A WESTERN Highlands ward councillor has decided to step down on Monday on security reasons to protect his family and the ward. Mt Hagen Urban LLG Ward 8 incumbent councillor and deputy Lord Mayor of Mt Hagen city John Soti Tipin said that he would have fought for his seat if there was heavy police presence and the electoral commission provided fair elections.