Gamato: Election will proceed

The by-election for the Menyamya electorate in Morobe will go ahead as planned after the 14-day state of emergency shutdown period, says Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato.
But he said the Goroka by-election would be delayed by at least a month.
Gamato wrote to the Controller of state of emergency and Police Comm David Manning seeking exemption for the Menyamya and Goroka by-elections.
“Controller of SOE has advised me to delay holding the two by-elections through the normal processes,” Gamato said in a statement.
“However, the decision to hold them rests on me as electoral commissioner. This is no disrespect and disobedience to the laws and regulations of the SOE.
“As commissioner, I am mindful that the national government, political parties and candidates and electoral commission have already spent a lot of money for the Menyamya by-election and to further delay it, would be unfair for everyone.”
Gamato said for the Goroka by-election, he has not advised Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae to issue the writ although the dates had already been approved.
“However, for Menyamya by-election, the electoral process is half way through now since the writ has already been issued on February 13, and the process has already started and is in motion.”
Polling for Menyamya by-election will be for one day on April 15.
“I will be giving specific instructions to the returning officer for Menyamya by-election and his assistant returning officers to closely observe the rules and regulations.”