Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai said the 2022 National General Elections will be very challenging unlike the past National Elections because the counting period has been reduced to one week unlike the usual three weeks as seen in past elections.
Mr Sinai made this statement when revealing the new proposed dates for the election process this afternoon.
He said the election process has already begun when the Governor General signed the Issue of Writ on July 12, 2022, however he has used his powers under section 177 to extend the nomination days to 14 days following the passing of late Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil.
“The new proposed calendar after the issue of writs on May 12 is as follows,” Mr Sinai said.
“Nomination will be open after 4pm on Thursday May 19, 2022 and ends on Thursday May 26, 2022.”
“Polling will start on July 02, 2022 and ends on July 22, 2022.” “And the return of writ will be on July 29, 2022.”
“The calculation now is that nomination period will be for 14 days, campaign period will be for seven weeks and polling period will be for 21 days.”
Mr Sinai called on all citizens to assist in ensuring that the timings are workable for a successful elections.