POLLING PROGRESSING WELL NATIONWIDE AFTER EIGHT DAYS, SAYS TRAWEN

MEDIA STATEMENT

POLLING PROGRESSING WELL NATIONWIDE AFTER EIGHT DAYS, SAYS TRAWEN

Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen says polling nationwide is progress well into the eighth day after some initial problems were encountered.

Mr. Trawen said polling was completed in Enga Province yesterday (Saturday June 30) while polling in Western Highlands and Jiwaka provinces is scheduled to take place tomorrow (Monday July 02).

“With the delays in the Highlands, I expect polling in Chimbu to take place on July 6 and Eastern Highlands on July 9. However, these dates are subject to review based on weather, roads and the availability of security personnel to move from province to province,” he said.

He expressed concern that weather continues to play havoc to mobilization of polling teams and election materials thus delaying polling in some areas in the country especially in Gulf, Milne Bay and Central provinces.

Polling officially ends this Friday July 6 as per the 2012 election time table approved by the Governor General.

In the meantime, Mr. Trawen said counting of first preference votes is already underway in Southern Highlands Province while counting for Hela is expected to start tomorrow (Monday July 02) in Tari.

He said counting for the National Capital District will start either on Monday or Tuesday this week and not July 6 as mentioned in some earlier reports.

“I am pleased to advise that progressive results of the counting of first preference votes are now appearing on the PNG Electoral Commission website (www.pngec.gov.pg) and those who have access to the internet service are encouraged to check,” he said.

Mr. Trawen outlines the regional progress reports on polling and counting as follows:

Momase

Morobe – Australian Civilian Corps specialist conducting count training for counting officials in Lae today (Sunday July 01).

Madang – polling continuing.

East Sepik – polling continuing.

West Sepik – polling continuing.

Highlands

Southern Highlands – Counting of first preference votes continuing in Mendi.

Hela – Counting expect to start tomorrow (Monday July 02).

Enga – Polling completed yesterday (Saturday June 30) while start of counting is yet to be confirmed.

Western Highlands – Ballot boxes being packed and ready for distribution by chopper and road later today (Sunday July 01). Polling is very well organized with high level of activity and good security.

Jiwaka – Preparations for polling are in progress.

Southern

Western – Polling is progressing well and it is anticipated that polling will be completed in most areas by this week July with counting expected to commence on Monday July 9.

Gulf – Polling activities in Central and East Kerema did not complete yesterday (Saturday June 30) and are continuing today (Sunday July 01) because of because of adverse weather conditions making it difficult for 4 teams to reach Kotidanga LLG and another in Kikori Open is experiencing the same. Polling is expected to be completed Friday July 6 with counting being planned for counting on Monday July 9.

NCD – Counting is expected to start either tomorrow Monday July 2 or Tuesday July 3.

Central – Polling is proceeding well and is expected to be completed by tomorrow Monday July 2.

Northern – Polling is also proceeding well and will continue tomorrow Monday July 2 in the 8 LLG’s which were delayed and is expected to be completed by Friday July 6.

Milne Bay - Finer weather is now helping with progress of polling. A navy patrol boat should arrive in Alotau today (Sunday July 01) to assist polling teams in the islands. Polling is expected to be completed by Friday July 6 with counting to commence either on Monday July 9 or Tuesday July 10.

NGI

No progressive reports have been received at the time this media statement was released but reports yesterday (Saturday June 30) indicate that polling is progressing well and is expected to be completed in all the provinces by Friday July 6.

APPROVED FOR RELEASE

ANDREW S. TRAWEN, CMG, MBE

ELECTORAL COMMISSIONER

Sunday 01 July 2012