A circular instruction has been issued to advise all provincial Members (formerly governors) and their provincial governments to immediately convene their Provincial Executive Council meetings about the upcoming LLG Elections.
In that they were advised to resolve one method (either by voters or ward councilors) of LLG Elections and recommend it back to the Ministry and the Department of Provincial Affairs and LLG before the end of this month, giving ample time to PNG Electoral Commission to prepare.
Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Soroi Marepo Eoe said today in a media statement that he has directed all to decide on the method of 2024 local level government (LLG) presidents election that will ensure minimize interruptions in all provinces.
Minister Eoe stated that a government caucus consensus last year to have direct election of LLG presidents by the people has been rescinded and referred to PEC to decide on the methods.
“Based on the PECs’ recommendation, I will then present a submission to National Executive Council (NEC) seeking approval on the method of election and for NEC to advise Head of State to make a determination accordingly,” Minister Eoe stressed.
Minister Eoe clarified that NEC will carefully assess and deliberate on the pros and cons of both methods of election and give the final approval, given the issues and challenges encountered during elections and after elections managing the operations of LLGs.
Minister Eoe said the national government also intends to increase direct funding and institute intervention programs to empower LLGS to function effectively as the third-tier government.
“Having stable and effective leadership in LLG assembly is critical to ensure accountability, checks and balances in the management and oversight on these direct intervention programs to implement Government’s Medium Term Development Plan IV (MTDP IV 2022-2027) to improve the lives of our rural people,” the Minister alluded.
Minister Eoe further challenges provincial governments, district development authority boards and LLGS to take ownership of conducting the LLG elections and mobilize all necessary resources on the ground to assist PNGEC to conduct a free, fair and safe election.
In the 2013 direct LLG presidents’ election, 27 LLG elections were declared failed and remained without LLG due to budget and planning constrains by the PNGEC.
The dates for the 2024 LLG elections set by the PNGEC and approved by the Minister are as follows;
Issue of Writ: Thursday, 27th June 2024 (4:00pm)
Nomination Close: Wednesday, 3rd July 2024 (4:00pm)
Polling Starts: Saturday, 24th August 2024
Polling Ends: Friday 6th September 2024
Return of Writs On or Before: Thursday 27th September 2024