Polling in West Sepik delayed

 By GABRIEL FITO

VOTING in the 2013 local level government election in West Sepik has been delayed for a week as schedules for the 86 polling teams are yet to be finalised.

Provincial election manager Martin Anska said beside the minor hiccup that the Electoral Commission in Port Moresby had acknowledged, they were all set to start polling this Saturday.

“I have sent all my assistant returning officers with ballot papers out of Vanimo on the weekend.

“Except one for Telefomin, who is scheduled to travel by plane on Wednesday,” Anska said.

“We are focusing on a K4.5 million budget.

“The PNG Electoral Commission has given us its share of K2.25 million,” he said.

“The provincial administration is giving us K312,000 and Vanimo Green district has given K10,000 per LLG to support elections in each of its LLGs.” 

He said the other three districts were communicating with their national MPs and would provide the same support for local level governments so that elections in their respective wards and LLG areas were conducted without problems.

“I have cautioned my assistant returning officers to work within the budget break-ups and incur no unnecessary commitments as we still have some outstanding commitments for last year’s national election to settle,” Anska said.

“Otherwise, the general financial situation looks all right as the provincial and district administration are supportive and will ease the burden on logistics for the election.” 

Police will be on standby and not be deployed with polling teams.

Anska said that was to give some responsibility to the people so that they took ownership of the election in their respective wards and LLG areas.

He said campaigning was reportedly very quiet and trouble-free and they expected no hurdles during polling.