The polling day for the Moresby North- East electorate in the nation’s capital, Port Moresby had been further delayed for two days after the election team failed to complete preparations for polling to take place today.
National Capital District (NCD) Election Manager Mr. Kila Ralai said the polling has been further delayed to Monday 11th July because they are still doing the distribution of ballot papers that led to the cancellation of polling which supposed to start at 8am in the morning.
Mr. Ralai explained that the completion of the distribution of the election materials is important to ensure every ward in the electorate go to the polls on the same day.
“Even if we go for two wards, it won’t look good for two wards to go for polls and the other two wards later, so we hold back all wards for Moresby North- East and we all go at once on Monday,” explained Mr. Ralai.
He further said the election teams along with the scrutineers for the various candidates will go through the final distribution of the ballot papers and boxes this evening and finalize everything tomorrow in preparation for Monday.
The delay had left people of North- East electorate left confused and frustrated. Most did not even know the polling was delayed and were gathered around the various polling sites for hours.
The candidates further called for a better management of the election process and to make sure no more delays occur.