Writs issued for by-election
NOMINATIONS for the Goroka by-election opened at 4pm yesterday after Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae issued the writ to Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato.
Gamato said nominations would be open for six days and close on Wednesday at 4pm because Thursday would be a public holiday (Remembrance Day).
“We will give eight weeks for candidates to campaign,” he said.
Key election dates :
- ISSUE of writ – Thursday, July 16 (4pm);
- Nominations close – Wednesday, July 22 (4pm);
- Nomination period – 6 days July 16 to 22;
- Campaign period – 8 weeks, July 16 to Sept 10;
- Polling period – 14 days, Sept 12 to 25; and,
- Counting period – 21 days, Sept 26 to Oct 16.
- Return of writ on or before – Friday, Oct 16;
Gamato said eight weeks was the minimum amount of time allowed by law for election campaigns.
“The maximum is 11 weeks,” he said.
“Within the eight weeks, we will prepare the necessary teams and print ballot papers,” he said.
“We are looking at about 80,000 eligible voters (because) Goroka is a populated town so we are looking at printing the ballot papers accordingly.”
Gamato said: “We did not experience much problems in the last elections so I am appealing to the people to cooperate with the electoral commission so that we successfully conduct the election and deliver their new MP.”
He appealed to the police to help the election process in terms of crowd control.
“We will observe Covid-19 safety protocols in place,” Gamato said.
He said the commission received K1.6 million out of an estimated K6.3 million from the Government for the by-election.
The estimated K6.3 million, he said, was to cover the election costs including cost of lawyers, petitioners who petitioned the electoral commission and service providers.
“We would have outstanding payments to service providers but I would like to focus the budget on paying for the main items first so that we conduct the Goroka open by-election,” he said.
5 comments
My Opinion:
What a waste of money and time given when we have approximately 2 more years before the next General Election in 2022.
The money of 6.2 million kina could be put to good use for the development of Goroka township.
The funds can be managed by the Department of Finance and they can keep the District Administrator (if Goroka has one??) and its Managers accountable on how they can go about to manage the funds for its usage.
And Off course, the EHP Governor can keep them accountable as well.
Past open members don’t have their presence felt in Goroka.
Too much politics, greed, selfish ambition, nepotism, corruption and pride has destroyed this once upon time the beautiful fabric structure of Goroka township.
Now its all broken down and in ruins.
Whoever will be the next MP, May you live up to your oaths and provide good service delivery to your people. It doesn’t matter if they don’t vote for you. As a mandated leader, treat everybody fairly and equally, this will then set the precedent for others to follow.
You are there to serve the best interest for the majority of the people as a whole.
Whatever goes around will always come around.
Hahaha agree with Mr Umu. Totally waste of money on this bullshits by election. What’s the elected member going to do within this two year period before the next general election. Perhaps some miraculous change will happen in Goroka town within this short time or it’s just a waste of time and money in re-election of another corrupted leader. Might be better to use this money for the development purposes of Goroka town instead.
Corruption at its best!!! Wasting Government’s money instead of utilizing that money to bring at least some changes to the town and district of Goroka… 2 year term will have no impact for the community as he/she will be new to the system and the processes involved in bringing developments is always slow unlike private sectors…when trying to get in the system and going through the processes and policies, time will catch up with him/her and there he/she goes….new person comes in…
The DSIP for each district was once upon a time at K10 million per year, but now each district is entitled for only K2 million, that is K8 million less.
Do the calculation, K6.3 million spent in 3 months is a total waste.
The funds can be put to good use and spread over the period of 2 years.
And why 2 months campaign period, can it be done in a month? Goroka must be a very big area.
Complimenting the past comments; we need to protest to replace the current Electoral Commissioner now before it gets too late. 2022 Elections is not to faraway. If we don’t replace him, we’re expecting millions of public funds going into trash and corrupt officials. More importantly, the elections will be rigged again and all the crooks will end up in the Parliament again.
The current Commissioner is simply incompetent, who occupies the office to serve self interest and milk off from corrupt politicians. A simply dump with no innovative ideas and vision to deliver elections in a cost effective smarter way.
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