By-election campaign deferred

CAMPAIGNING for the Moresby North West by-election has been deferred for another two weeks due to the latest surge in the Covid-19 in Port Moresby, acting Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai says.
The drawing of the candidate box numbers that was expected to be done yesterday was deferred to April 1.
This also means that campaigning will start on the same date.
Sinai appealed to candidates and supporters to cooperate with the PNG Electoral Commission as it looked to run the by-election in light of the rising Covid-19 cases in the city.
He said candidates and voters in Moresby North-West would soon be advised of the next course of action as the commission continued to work closely in consultation with the office of the Covid-19 Controller and Police Commissioner David Manning.
“The Electoral Commission sincerely apologies to the electors of Moresby North-West electorate for any inconvenience caused by these changes,” he said.
Sinai said on Wednesday that they were delaying the by-election by another two weeks in compliance with Manning’s advice to observe the outbreak of the Covid-19 till March 25.
“The long-awaited order of draw for the candidates has been further delayed to April 1 and we will be determined subject to reports in the next few days on the pandemic situation,” he said.
“But for now, polling will commence on May 29 (changed from May 15) and will end on June 12 (changed from May 29).
“The writs will be returned to the Governor-General on June 24 (changed from June 10).”