EC MEET WITH WHP ELECTION COMMITTEES FOR DEI BY ELECTION POLLING
THE PNG Electoral Commission met with the Western Highlands Provincial Election Advisory Committee (PEAC) last Friday.
The meeting portrays firm commitment by PNGEC and provincial stakeholders in ensuring a free, fair and safe election in the Dei Open seat by-election.
Acting Electoral Commissioner Margaret Vagi made these remarks after leading a team from the PNG Electoral Commission to Western Highlands Province last week to meet the PEAC for the Dei by-election and to discuss updates and preparations into Polling and Counting.
Polling is scheduled for January 19- nest week Monday and ends on January 30 while Counting will begin in January 31 and to end on 20th with the return of writs expected on the 20th or before.
A total of 59 Polling teams will be engaged across 51 council wards.
The PEAC meeting was attended by Western Highlands provincial administrator Joseph Wangbil, acting Electoral Commissioner Margaret Vagi, Deputy Electoral Commissioner Kila Vaname, acting Directors for Operations and Information Communication and Awareness, Operations Manager Highlands, Election Manager and his assistant, Assistant Returning Officers for by-election, PNGEC ICT and Policy staff and other key stakeholders.
“This by-election is important and relevant, as the Dei Open seat has been vacant for almost two years since the member passed on. I appeal to the voters and the community to ensure a free, fair and safe election is conducted and every opportunity must be given to women and girls to exercise their rights to vote,” the acting Commissioner said.
The PNGEC is conducting by-elections for the Dei Open seat and the New Ireland regional seat, as left vacant following the death of former prime minister and one of the founding fathers of PNG, Sir Julius Chan.
Meanwhile, Western Highlands Provincial Administrator Joseph Mangbil thanks the Electoral Commission for showing interest in the by election process in Dei District and being on ground to ensure successful delivery.
