Pacific Media Centre Newsdesk
Papua New Guineans began voting today in the two-week-long rolling ballot at different polling places across the country.
Voting began today in some parts of Milne Bay province, which has four electorates — Alotau Open, Esa’ala Open, Kiriwina/Goodenough Open and Samarai/Murua Open.
National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop, leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), warned that one-day polling in some provinces would not work.
The elections Media Centre was opened yesterday by Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato.
It is located at the Electoral Headquarters in the capital of Port Moresby. The centre will function as an information hub for accredited journalists throughout the polling and counting period, reports EMTV News.
It will be operational from today until July 25.
Commissioner Gamato said it was the main instrument for the PNGEC to communicate and share election related information and counting results.
As Prime Minister Peter O’Neill wrapped up his election campaign yesterday by visiting remote villages in the Ialibu-Pangia district of his Southern Highlands province, his ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) faced a third serious disruption, this time in the Simbu provincial capital of Kundiawa.
Incumbent Governor Noah Kool, who is also a PNC candidate, was pelted with stones by rival supporters in the final election rally meeting in the town, reports Loop PNG.
He was taken to hospital and treated for minor abrasions and lacerations to the head.
Kundiawa has one-day polling on Monday.
Women standing in the current election number 165 out of the total 3332 candidates contesting 111 seats in the National Parliament.
