A total of 22 new proposed electorates have been identified to be eligible in the findings by the Electoral Boundaries Commission’s first phase of nationwide consultation.
The 22 proposed electorates cover Milne Bay, Northern, Western, Gulf, Central, Manus, New Ireland, East New Britain, West New Britain, West Sepik, East Sepik, Madang, Morobe, Hela, Jiwaka, Western Highlands, Southern Highlands and Enga Provinces.
Electoral Boundaries Commission Chairman and acting Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai revealed this in a media conference today when giving an update on the review currently underway.
However Mr Sinai said these are only the findings from the initial phase and there are still three phases that the review will go through before the report is presented to Parliament for deliberation.
Mr Sinai said the review exercise will now enter into its second phase starting next week where the five teams headed by respective commissioners go back to the proposed electorates and conduct a second consultation.
“The commissioners had a week-long review and came up with the proposed electorates after carrying out the first consultation,” Mr Sinai said.
“This is not final, from here, we will go back to those areas and explain the proposal and gauge more views before we return to further review and present the final report to Parliament.”
“It is important for the people in those affected areas mentioned to be present for the consultation and this includes the civil society workers, public servants and local MPs.”
He said the Electoral Boundaries Commission anticipates presenting the final review report in the November Sitting of Parliament.