 PORT
MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, Nov.12, 2008) – Five
candidates have nominated for the presidential by-election in the
Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Two others have nominated for the Ramu (Bougainville) by-election.
Returning
officer Reitama Taravaru said yesterday progress on the by-election had
been "fantastic" since the writs were issued last Thursday.
The
five presidential candidates are: Nick Peniai (independent and former
Bougainville House of Representatives speaker), Edward Okuwau
(independent), Gerard Sinato (Bougainville People’s Congress and former
ABG Health Minister) Sam Kauona (independent) and Clarence Cozxiune
(independent).
The
two who nominated to contest the Ramu seat are John Taima Mauroko from
Mokorino village (independent) and Joseph Obama Parum (independent).
Mr. Taravaru said the number of eligible voters should be confirmed by the end of this week.
But
he said there had been an increase from the previous elections because
those in the Me’ekamui faction had set aside their differences and
co-operated.
Taravaru
said: "There will be 157 polling teams deployed within the 33
constituencies. The teams will only walk and get to the areas by
vehicles. There will be no helicopters used in this by-election.
"As
for the atolls, a smaller boat will be chartered and not the Sankamap
II because we do not want the polling teams to go with passengers as
there might be a delay." Taravaru said he was comfortable with the
allocation of funds, adding the head office in Port Moresby had been
responsible and tough measures had been put in place to control the
funds.
The issue of security of the by-elections is also a concern as there are no funds for the police.
"If
the by-elections will be carried out without the presence of the police
then it will be history for Bougainville. Therefore I am calling on all
Bougainvilleans in the region to be responsible," he said.
Meanwhile,
Taravaru has assured the police they would be looking for funds in the
next four weeks to help with the security. But he said if funds were
not secured then it would be a police-free election.
Papua New Guinea Post-Courier: www.postcourier.com.pg/
Source- Pacific Islands Report
http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2008/November/11-13-03.htm
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