Polls for disaster areas deferred

By REBECCA KUKU
LOCAL level government elections in areas affected by last week’s volcanic eruptions will be postponed, says Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato.
Gamato told The National that the areas would have supplementary local level government elections at a later date.
“By law, places affected by natural disasters will have a supplementary election after everything settles down,” he said.
“So for West New Britain, all LLGs affected by the (volcanic) eruption on Mt Ulawun will have to be postponed and have a supplementary election at a later date.
“However, for Manam, I believe the majority of the population are on the main land and only about 4,000 are on the island. But we will have to confirm.
“But I see no reason why their LLG election should be postponed as the majority are on the mainland and can carry out the elections on the mainland.”
The Mt Ulawun volcano in West New Britain erupted on Wednesday.
The LLG election nominations started on Thursday and will end on Thursday.
The Manam Island volcano in Madang erupted on Friday.
The elections which were to have been held three months ago had to be postponed because of a court case.
The court later lifted the stay on the elections allowing the Electoral Commission to set new dates.