Madang elections boosted by admin

 By JAYNE SAFIHAO

THE Madang provincial electoral office will now be conducting the local level government elections with an increased budget of K700,000, thanks to the provincial administration.

A memorandum of understanding signed yesterday afternoon between provincial administrator Benard Lange and provincial election boss Cyril Retaw cements the provincial administration’s commitment of ensuring fair and safe elections.

The contribution boosts the K2.2 million given by the Electoral Commission to K2.9 million as operational costs for the six districts.

Most of the money will be spent on security and logistics.

Thanking the provincial government, Retaw said despite a cut in their forecasted budget of K3.6 million, they would try to cut costs where possible.

Lange said K800,000 had been earmarked but treasury could only pay K700,000, with the balance to be given if shortfalls appeared.

“We are only following what other provincial governments are doing,” he said.