Polling for the four national seats going for by election this year commenced over the weekend on Saturday 12th July as per the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Electoral Commission (EC) schedule; however, polling so far for one by election seat is being delayed. The by election polling being delayed here is for the Usino- Bundi seat in Madang province and it is due to certain issues being faced by provincial electoral office on ground. According to the Madang Provincial Election Manager Mr. Sponsa Navi, this delay was due to the access to election funds and security issues. However, he hopes those issues are resolved today or tomorrow. “The ballot papers, boxes other election materials were received a week ago; however, we have issues that need to be sorted out, like security is not mobilized and deployed to us, to help us,” said Mr. Navi. “Also, the accessibility of funds that we have already in the bank, it takes a while because of the new system we are using. So, this made us delay the polling to this Wednesday, the 16th of July.” He said initially K200, 000 was allocated for the provincial team to do training and get the team in place. “We have money but it’s just the accessibility with the bank. There is a process that we are using, it’s called Kundu Pay, but there are certain things that need to be done before we access the money. So, that is why it is delaying our process.” But the main issue he said was security for the polling teams at the polling sites in the district and he is hoping that police get their allocation of funds soon so that they can provide security on ground. There is a total of 27 candidates contesting this by election with two former Madang Governors contesting the seat like Peter Yama and Jim Kas. Also contesting is former Open Member, Anton Yagama. The Open Seat was left vacant following the passing of the sitting Member of Parliament, Jimmy Uguro, whom his son Donald Uguro is also contesting the Seat in this by election. Meanwhile, the provincial election manager is urging all candidates and eligible voters to conduct themselves accordingly during the polling period when it commences in two days’ time. The by election seats going into polling are Porgera- Paiela in Enga, Aitape- Lumi in West Sepik, Kabwum in Morobe, and Usino- Bunid in Madang.