Dion: LLG presidents to be elected by people

LOCAL level government (LLG) council presidents throughout the country will be elected by the people.
Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion announced this during the provincial governors meeting at the March Girls Beach Resort, outside Port Moresby, last Thursday.
Southern Highlands Governor William Powi said allowing people to vote for LLG presidents was a way forward to cut down on unnecessary costs and other related problems.
He said over the years, open MPs had been involved in the LLG presidential elections.
Allowing the people to choose their presidents would cut the MPs’ involvement.
Next year’s LLG elections would cost around K80 million, Deputy Electoral Commissioner John Kalamoro said.
He said although they had limited funding, they would have to conduct successful LLG elections through the support of public servants and other stakeholders.