Manus election manager says ‘all systems go’ for LLG elections

 MANUS is ready to conduct a successful local level government election after the issuing of writs tomorrow.

Provincial election manager Parkop Posangat said yesterday election preparations were going according to plan as they awaited their updated electoral roll from Port Moresby.

They will elect 131 ward councillors after four more wards were approved by the National Executive Council recently – Buluso Ward 14, Awai Ward 17, Sapon One Bulihat Ward 18 and Sapon Two Ndranir Ward 19 in the Lelemadih Bupi Chupeu LLG.

Posangat said 12 LLG presidents would be voted in – Manus Urban, Aua Wuvulu, Nigoherm, Bisakani/Soparibau, PNKA, Lelemadih/ Bupichupeu, Lorengau Urban, 

Los Negros, Penabu Nali Sopat, Tetedu, Pobuma, Balopa and Rapatona.

He said they would use polling officials from last year’s national elections. 

There are 21 polling teams comprising 105 officials and most of them are public servants and trained polling officials from the villages.

“Last week, our 12 assistant returning officers attended election training in Kavieng to prepare them for the elections,” Posangat said.

Notices had been distributed to candidates and necessary materials such as nomination forms and deposit slips for nomination fees were being prepared.

Posangat said they had requested K650,000 from the Electoral Commission to conduct the elections and an additional K230,000 from the provincial administration to cater for police operations.