Star Mountains LLG begins polling

 POLLING started this week in the Star Mountains local level government area of Western.

Unlike some other LLGs around the country where violence marred the elections, voting and campaigning in the Star Mountains LLG did not experience any major hiccups.

Incumbent LLG president and Western deputy governor Boroko Pitalok is tipped to retain his seat despite facing strong challengers.

John Wanim, the principal landowner from Bultem, and John Dangki, owner of Bugum Investments from Kaborabip, are his strongest rivals.

On Monday, polling started at Wangbin, where Pitalok comes from and yesterday in Tabubil, there was a long queue as people waited patiently to cast their votes.

Eligible voters came to the cop shop at the mining township shopping centre to vote.

Police personnel were on standby to ensure polling went smoothly, while keeping a close watch on voters and polling officials.

Polling is also under way in the surrounding mine villages of Miglasim, Bultem and Finalbin.