More ballot papers likely for LLG elections

National

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
ELECTORAL Commissioner Patilias Gamato says they will now prepare to conduct the local level government elections in the new constituencies.
“We will have to update the common roll and print new ballot papers for the additional 12 LLGs and additional 203 wards,” he said.
“We hope to do that before the polling and I believe we have ample time. We are now preparing the polling schedule.”
Gamato is expected to talk about the LLG elections and the Bougainville referendum in October.
He said ballot papers printed in Malaysia arrived last week.
“We will go through the papers and if needed, we will reprint more papers for the new wards. But if we have more than enough, then we will just reduce the papers for wards that have less population and distributed them to the new wards,” he said.
He said the people had the right to choose their leaders.
“We will cover the length and breadth of this country. If we have to travel by boat, car or aircraft we will do it. That’s why we will need the support of the provincial governments and LLGs because we don’t have enough staff.”
The new LLGs are Boikin and Dagua in East Sepik; Pori Rural, Awi Lagayu Rural and Mt Sisa Rural in Hela; Kuni Rural, Vanapa Brown Rural, Rigo East Rural, Rigo North Rural in Central; Fly Gogodala, Fly Kiwai and Fore Coast Kiwai Rural in Western.