Menyamya by-election set

The National National

A by-election for the vacant Menyamya Open seat in Morobe will start next week when Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae is expected to issue the writ and formally call for nominations.
The Menyamya Open seat was left vacant following the death Thomas Pelika in November.
Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato paid a visit to Government House yesterday to advise the Head of State on the official programme for the by-election.
Gamato said that the Electoral Commission had given the immediate family, relatives and friends of Thomas Pelika adequate time to mourn his death and fulfil customary obligations.
The Menyamya by-election programme is as follows:

  • ISSUE of writs and nominations open: Thursday, Feb 13, 4pm;
  • NOMINATIONS close: Thursday, Feb 20, 4pm;
  • POLLING starts: Saturday, April 4;
  • POLLING ends: Saturday, April 18; and,
  • RETURN of writs on or before: Monday, May 11.
    Gamato said the by-election would cost K6.1 million adding that Menyamya was one of the toughest electorates to conduct elections.