ENB endorses first two of four LLG elections

National

EAST New Britain administrator and chairman of the provincial election steering committee Wilson Matava has endorsed the first two of the four districts’ local level government election operations plans and their budget estimates.
They are Gazelle with an estimated budget of K500,000 and Rabaul with K200,000 for the elections in August.
Kokopo and Pomio districts are expected to make their submissions soon.
Matava reiterated that ENB would be allocated only K300,000 to conduct the elections but hoped that respective district development authorities of the four districts would provide assistance and help cover outstanding payments to service providers in last year’s national elections. Matava has directed the provincial electoral office to collate the four districts’ plan of actions to avoid misunderstanding and higher expectations.
While, chairing a provincial meeting yesterday, Matava agreed that the managers of all 18 local level governments would become assistant returning officers.
Polling teams will have four members each and counting teams seven.
The writs will be issued on August 30, nominations close September 6 and polling starts on September 29. Polling ends on Oct 13, with the expected return of writs by November 2.
It will be one-day polling from 8am-2pm and counting until 6pm, with declarations on the same day.