Power outage stalls nominations in Jiwaka, WHP

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Tuesday 11th June 2013

 SOME intending candidates for the local level government elections in Western Highlands and Jiwaka provinces could not pay their nominations fees last Friday because of a power blackout.

The blackout forced the Bank South Pacific to minimise its operations in Mt Hagen.

The candidates went to the bank to pay their nomination fees on Friday after the issue of writs on Thursday. But they were unable to do that because of the power blackout which hit Mt Hagen from 11am to 4pm. They need to deposit their nomination fees today since yesterday was a public holiday.

David Kerowa, a candidate for the Tapikama ward one in Baiyer district, Western Highlands, said he was unable to pay his nomination fees last Friday.

“We waited until 4pm when the bank closed so we went home. Monday was a public holiday and Tuesday is the only day for the nominations but we cannot pay after 4pm,” he said.

He suggested that the fees should be collected at the council chambers today to avoid queuing up again at the bank today before nominations close at 4pm.

Kerowa said the writ was issued last Thursday at around 4pm after the banks had closed at 3pm.

 “I ask the electoral commission to give an extra day so we can complete our nominations,” he said.