New deadline for writs

By CLEMENT KAUPA
THE new deadline for the return of writs in the national election is next Wednesday.
The date was extended by five days yesterday and approved by the Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio following a recommendation from Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen.
“I would like to announce to the people of Papua New Guinea as well as the international community that the new date for the return of 2012 election writs is now Wednesday, Aug 1, 2012,” Trawen said.
Asked if five days was ample time for all provinces to complete counting, an obviously relieved Trawen said: “Now I am feeling confident everything will be completed by the new deadline.”
The initial deadline was today for the return for all the 111 writs to the GG.
Bad weather and logistic constraints had added to delays.
“This is to allow the remaining electorates or provinces to complete their counting and declare results.”
Also within this time period, I expect all the election writs to be returned to me for me to prepare my advice to the governor-general to invite the political party that has won the majority number of seats to form the next government of Papua New Guinea,” Trawen said.
Provinces that have yet to complete counting, particularly the elimination process, include Gulf, NCD, Northern, Madang, Morobe, West Sepik, Bouganville, EHP, Simbu, Jiwaka, WHP, SHP and Enga.
Meantime, Trawen disclosed that only 39 election writs out of 72 declared seats have been returned to the commission.“I am calling on all those electorates that have already made their declarations but have yet to bring in their election writs to do so accordingly to officially conclude this national event,” he urged.