NIP takes to the polls

NEW Ireland is keen to have full representation in the provincial assembly before the year ends.
This means that all president seats must be occupied to ensure effective delivery of goods and services in 2011.
The provincial electoral office will be racing against time this week to conduct polling and counting on two president seats in the Lavongai and Central New Ireland LLG that were left vacant this year after going through the process of court of disputed returns alleging abuse in office.
Yesterday, by-elections for the two seats kicked off with eight polling teams for ward four in the Kavieng urban LLG and six teams for ward one at Tabar.
According to provincial electoral manager, Edward Konu, polling, which was supposed to start on Saturday, was deferred to yesterday due to late arrival of ballot papers from Port Moresby.  
He said the by-elections were funded by the provincial government at a cost of K200,000 but this was re-assessed and only K155,000 would be used.
Konu said counting was expected to take place on Thursday with the winners being declared on the weekend.