Lack of funding defers by-elections

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ELECTORAL commissioner Simon Sinai says the issue of writs for the by-elections scheduled for last week has been deferred to later this month due to lack of funding.
Sinai said the cash flow situation in the country had made it difficult to secure funds needed to conduct the by-elections as scheduled.
“However, we have re-scheduled the by-elections to this month with confirmed dates and election schedule, as I am confident that we will secure some funding in time to progress the by-elections,” he said. The new dates set to conduct the by-elections are:

  • THURSDAY, March 21 to 27: issue of writs or nominations (7days);
  • THURSDAY, March 21 to May 17: campaign period (8 weeks);
  • SAT May 18 to 31: polling period (two weeks); and,
  • FRIDAY, May 31 to June 21: counting period/results (two weeks).

Sinai said through legal advice, by-elections in some electorates, including Madang, could not proceed as planned until all outstanding issues were settled through the court.
“This means by-elections will be conducted only in three electorates – Sohe Open in Northern (court-ordered by-election), Maprik Open in East Sepik and Porgera-Paiela in Enga (seats vacated following the death of their elected MPs),” he added.
Sinai said with the LLG elections scheduled between April and June, he hoped that funds for the by-elections would be released by authorities on time.