Old rivals in race for Balimo Urban seat

 By FIDELIS SUKINA

WITH the new system of voting in place for voters in the local level government elections, candidates in Balimo Urban are mobilising to form government.

First mayor of Balimo Urban Nasa Aweya is trying to retain his seat after being ousted for a term by current mayor Kawe Biyama.

Both candidates are campaigning well in town. However, Aweya has a loud hailer and is putting that into good use as he walks along the road speaking in the local dialect.

Balimo Urban assistant returning officer Joel Galuma said the mayor’s seat had only seven men contesting while two women were in the race for the Owa Ward 2 and the Bayasa Ward 4 councillor seats.

Galuma said the candidates were planning their strategies to form government but doing it without disturbing the peace in Balimo. 

Provincial police commander Insp Silva Sika said there would be a liquor ban throughout the election period in Western to ensure safe and fair elections.

The police will be providing a 255-man contingent to help the PNG Electoral Commission in the province.