ENB locals urged to vote in correct wards

 PEOPLE in East New Britain must not confuse their electoral boundaries during the coming local level government elections and vote in their correct wards, provincial election manager Joab Voivoi says.

He said this last Saturday during a major awareness programme by the Ombudsman Commission in Rabaul.

“The province’s 18 appointed assistant returning officers now had the big task of making sure all preparations leading up towards the nominations go well,” Voivoi said.

“This included a polling schedule so people in each ward know which ward they will vote in and not be confused.

“Once we straighten out the polling schedule, the people must make it their aim to know and approach the polling team designated to their ward at that particular time, so they can cast their vote.

“This is important as when you miss out in your ward, you will not be able to vote in another ward and ultimately you will miss out on voting in the elections.”

Voivoi said the limited preferential voting system would be used like in the past national elections.

He said the nomination period would take seven days, campaign period would take four while the polling period would run for 35 days.

He told the people that they would be issued two ballot papers to mark their choice for ward councillor and president and in those two papers; they would choose three candidates for ward councillor and three for president seat.

Voivoi said last Friday saw the end of enrolment in the electoral roll.