Manus will vote for 131 ward leaders

 PEOPLE in Manus will be voting for 131 ward councillors in the local level government (LLG) elections after four more wards were approved by the National Executive Council.

Manus election manager Parkop Posangat said yesterday that previously there were 127 wards but, with the additional four wards approved, 131 ward councillors would be elected in by the people.

“Four new wards approved were Buluso ward 14, Awai ward 17, Sapon 1 Bulihat ward 18 and Sapon 2 Ndranir ward 19 all situated in the Lelemadih Bupi Chupeu LLG,” Posangat said.

He said 12 LLG presidents would be voted in with one for Manus urban and 11 for rural areas in Manus.

These were Aua Wuvulu, Nigoherm, Bisikani Soparibau Kabin, Pomutu Kurti Andra, Lelemadih Bupi Chupeu, Lorengau Urban, Los Negros, Nali Sopat Penabu, Tetedu, Pobuma, Balopa and Rapatona.

“The Department of Provincial and LLG Affairs confirmed this last week.”

Posangat said that currently, there are 313 LLGs in the country and with more than 6,138 wards.

The increased numbers and names of LLGs and wards will be further confirmed with the Electoral Commission in preparations for the LLG elections in June.

Posangat said the close of enrolment on the electoral rolls closed on Tuesday and they were now finalising the roll before he would take down to Port Moresby on Monday.

He said the province received a good response from people during enrolment including a good number of people with disabilities.

He was not able to give a figure of eligible voters in the province yesterday as they were still finalising details.

Posangat said they had begun election awareness especially on preparations and voter education on the local radio station.

“A civil society organisation had been identified to carry out awareness in the in the ward and LLG areas but was still waiting for funds,” he said.