G0VERNOR GENERAL LIKLEY TO BE ASKED TO EXTEND POLLING PERIOD

MEDIA STATEMENT

G0VERNOR GENERAL LIKLEY TO BE ASKED TO EXTEND POLLING PERIOD

The Governor General is likely to be asked to extend the polling period for a number of provinces and electorates located mainly in the most remote parts of Papua New Guinea.

Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Andrew Trawen, indicated this during a media briefing yesterday (Monday July 02, 2012) in Port Moresby.

Mr. Trawen said adjustments to the polling schedule were inevitable due to delays in the Highlands and other provinces faced with limited logistical and adverse weather conditions.

“Polling will likely need to extend beyond July 6, 2012 and the Governor General has been made aware of this,” Mr. Trawen said.

In many remote areas bad weather has played havoc on the original polling schedules confirmed to adhere to the requirements to complete voting by July 6.

Mr. Trawen has confirmed that no single province has completed all polling requirements, however, most polling teams were returning to provincial headquarters after completion of voting in their respective areas.

In the Momase region East Sepik has reported 212 out of their 222 teams have completed their polling.

Ready for the count is the National Capital District which commences counting for all the electorates at 6pm tonight (Tuesday July 03, 2012) and possibly Manus in the New Guinea Islands.

Counting for Southern Highlands and Hela provinces are in progress. 

APPROVED FOR RELEASE

ANDREW S. TRAWEN, CMG, MBE