Polling, counting for LLG elections ‘progressing well’

POLLING and counting for the 2019 Local Level Government elections around the country are progressing well, says Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato, pictured.
Gamato said most of the polling should be completed today (Wednesday).
“There are minor or isolated incidents reported but generally polling and counting is progressing well,” he said.
Gamato said polling was completed in Hela on Monday.
“In the Talagi LLG in Hela where the killing of 23 people occurred, polling progressed well,” he said.
“According to the Returning Officer John Tipa, they had completed polling and the 15 ballot boxes have been returned with the last one to be completed today (yesterday).
“They will start counting in Tari and should complete that by Thursday.”
He thanked the people of Tagali for taking ownership of the LLG election.
“This is attributed to good and strong awareness and education campaign conducted by the Election Manager John Tipa and his team who spoke to the people.”
He said polling had also been completed in Enga.
“Minor issues were encountered in a few wards and these wards were revisited.
“Polling in all the wards have progressed well in the Kandep Rural LLG.
“There was an incident, in a ward in the Kompiam/Ambun district where a dispute over a ballot box resulted in a fight in which a girl was shot.
“Police have been deployed to control the situation.”
Gamato said polling for Eastern Highlands, Chimbu, Jiwaka, Western Highlands, Southern Highlands, Northern, New Ireland and Central had been completed and counting began soon after.
Polling and counting should end on Thursday for the writs to be returned to the Minister for Inter-Government Relations Pila Niningi on Friday, July 26.