Writs open for Maprik, Sohe by-elections

The National National

By ANTOINETTE POIVI

WRITS for Northern’s Sohe and East Sepik’s Maprik by-elections were issued yesterday at Government House in Port Moresby.
Electoral commissioner Simon Sinai said the dates of the by-elections were fixed.

  • Nominations open on Thursday, April 25 (4pm);
  • Nominations close on Thursday, May 2 (4pm);
  • Polling starts on Sat, May 25;
  • End of Polling Wed, May 29; and,
  • Return of writs on or before Tuesday, June 18.

“The two are now cleared by the court and by every aspect of the legal positioning of these by-elections,” Sinai said.
He said for other electorates, 102 petitions submitted had been processed.
“Some are before the Supreme Court. Kabwum, Kairuku, Dei and Madang were pending appeals in the Supreme Court,” he said.
Porgera-Paiela had been cleared for by-election to be held. However, due to current security issues on the ground, it was also pending.
“We are monitoring the situation. When there is calm, writs will be issued.
“By-elections for Maprik and Sohe will be conducted at the same time,” Sinai said.
Sinai said in framing decisions, he was also considerate of the National Census and Local Level Government elections programmes.
“I have to make way for the census in June and the LLG elections in July.
“I will run the by-elections up to June 14 and they can proceed from June 16 with their programme.
“In July when the census is completed, within 10 to 14 days, we will issue the writs for the LLG elections.”
He urged the people of Sohe and Maprik to use this opportunity to vote in good leaders, adding that they would use the 2022 electoral roll.
“For the LLG elections, we’re doing verifications on the electoral roll starting from now to July so we want people to enrol and qualify yourself to get ready for these elections.”
Sinai said funds for the two by-elections have been given, with K5 million going to each electorate.
“It depends on what sort of arrangements are made,” he said.
The Usino-Bundi by-elections would be held once all customary obligations due to the late MP are completed.

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