EHP polling set to start

By ZACHERY PER
ELIGIBLE voters in Eastern Highlands province will be travelling to 706 polling stations today to vote in the general election.
Eastern Highlands is the last highlands province to go to the polls after intensive preparations to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Provincial election manager Jimmy Alywnn said  706 polling teams had been sent to the eight districts. Polling begins at 8am today.
He expects a trouble-free polling period.
Alywnn thanked  members of the joint task force who will be providing security during polling.
He acknowledged the efforts of the returning officers and their assistants in preparing for polling.
“I expect a good turnout at the polling tomorrow with counting to resume once all the returns are balanced.”
The number of ballot boxes going to each district are Daulo 59, Goroka 83, Okapa 116, Henganofi 73, Kainantu 97, Obura-Wonenara 120 and Lufa 82.
Meanwhile, a candidate is disappointed with the delay in polling.
Former Eastern Highlands governor Aita Ivarato said the delay should be the first and the last for the province.

“Why delay polling when we were prepared for this very important event that come after every five years?” he said.
But he urged the people to remain calm and cast their votes.
Ian Mopafi, a candidate running for the Unggai-Bena seat was also disappointed.
“If such delays occur in future, we will mobilise to join the Momase region and break away from the highlands region,” he said.