Nine retain seats unopposed

 By MOUA OMOA

NINE ward councillors in Milne Bay in the Yeleyamba and Samarai-Murua districts have been returned  unopposed in the local level government elections.

Milne Bay local level government elections assistant returning officer Asa Wavine said last Thursday five ward councillors in the Yeleyamba LLG and four in Samarai-Murua would automatically retain their seats.

Wavine confirmed nominations had closed but said they had yet to finalise the number of nominations as they were still awaiting some LLGs from the remote islands of the province.

“So far we have confirmed nominations from 13 LLGs. However, we are still waiting three more LLGs who are coming from the remote islands,” he said.

“The delay has been due to their remoteness as well as the sea current which is making travel by boat very difficult for the three remaining LLGs.”

Apart from the delay, Wavine said the nomination process went well without any hiccups and everything was on schedule.

Wavine said they had received more than 300 nominations from the 13 LLGs.

He said of that only one female would be contesting for a presidential seat, while 39 would be in the running for the ward council seats.

Wavine said the number of intending candidates for presidential seats for each of the 16 LLGs and numbers for wards councillors would be verified and confirmed this week.