WRITS ISSUED FOR DEI OPEN AND NEW IRELAND PROVINCE BY-ELECTION
HIS Excellency, Grand Chief Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae GCL, GCMG, KStJ, Governor General of Papua New Guinea, has issued Writs for by-election for two electorates, Dei Open for Western Highlands province and New Ireland Provincial seat for New Ireland province.
Acting Chief Electoral Commissioner Mrs. Margaret Vagi presented the Writs to the Governor General at Government House this morning.
The seats were left vacant following the passing of late Rt. Hon. Sir Julius Chan, Governor of New Ireland, and late Steven Pim Member for Dei Open electorate.
The by-elections will be conducted concurrently as follows:
Return of Writs On or Before: Friday 20th February 2026
Writs Issue/Nomination Open: Thursday 4th December, 2025
Nomination Closes: Thursday 11th December 2025
Polling Commences: Saturday 17th January 2026
Polling Ends: Friday 30th January 2026
Acting Electoral Commissioner, Magaret Vagi says the department of finance and treasury has approved a total of K9 million for the two by elections.
She says 3 million has been allocated for the New Ireland By-election while the 2 million has been allocated for Dei open, meanwhile, the 4 million kina will be used for electoral processes such as the purchasing of election materials.
