Election of mayors after return of writs: Niningi

THE election of local level government presidents and lord mayors will be done after the return of writs for all ward councillors throughout the country on Friday, Inter-Government Relations Minister Pila Niningi says.
Niningi said a circular instruction would be issued by the Department of Provincial and Local level Government Affairs on the processes to be followed.
“To date, I am yet to receive a writ for the PNG Electoral Commission because some parts of the country have yet to complete their polling,” he said. Ninigi said the commission had requested for a seven-day extension which was granted.
“So by this Friday (Aug 2), I am expecting to receive all writs,” he said.
“I will issue a circular instruction on the process how ward councillors will go about to elect their presidents and lord mayors.”
Meanwhile, Niningi warned ward councillors who wished to lobby for presidents and lord mayors not to use intimidation, bribery and kidnapping tactics as these were criminal acts.