PNG Elections : PNGEC to destroy over one Million Ballot papers

The Papua New Guinea Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai says ballot papers produced earlier for the seven electorates that were split with the creation of seven new ones will be publicly destroyed this weekend.

Papua New Guinea Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai[NBC photo]

Mr. Sinai, in a statement last night, says the ballot papers, about 1,305,000, were initially printed for 111 electorates and sent to Port Moresby on the 3rd and 4th of April this year.

He says this was before Parliament adopted the Electoral Boundaries Commission report and voted for the creation of the seven new electorates, to be included in this national election.

Mr. Sinai says they had to seek Australia's assistance again to cater for the increase in the number of Parliamentary seats, and reprint the ballot papers for the seven affected electorates and the seven new electorates. 

The electorates are Komo-Magarima in Hela Province, Lagaip Porgera in Enga, South Fly in Western, Kairuku-Hiri in Central, Sohe in Northern, Wau-Bulolo in Morobe, and Talasea in West New Britain. 

The new electorates are Komo-Hulia, Porgera-Paiela, Delta Fly, Hiri-Koiari, Popondetta, Wau-Waria, and Nakanai. 

Mr. Sinai says the ballot papers are secured and locked in a container since being delivered to Port Moresby in April. 

He says they will be destroyed this Saturday in the presence of the media, security personnel and key stakeholders, before polling starts next Monday.

NBC News / PNG Today

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