CITY Manager Ravu Frank has committed the support of the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) towards the upcoming Motu Koita Assembly elections.
The commitment was formally made through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission (PNGEC) and the Motu Koita Assembly to deliver elections without further delay.
Among the undertakings by NCDC in the MoU is a financial commitment of K500, 000 to help fund the election process.
The City Manager said the MoU is primarily an undertaking by NCDC to ensure the Motu Koita Assembly elections get underway this year as required by the Government.
“We are delegated as the municipal authority to provide support to the PNGEC and the Motu Koita Assembly to deliver the elections,” said Mr. Frank.
“NCDC stands ready to provide the necessary support and I want to assure the PNGEC and the MKA of our full support towards the staging of the elections,” he added.
The City Manager, Chief Electoral Commissioner Mr. Simon Sinai and the Chief Executive Officer of the MKA, Mr. Mari Kila, signed the MoU at City Hall to effect the partnership for the MKA elections.
Mr. Sinai applauded the support of the NCDC for this significant event of national importance that will see the Motu and Koitabu people going to the polls to elect their leaders.
“This support of NCDC will allow the people to exercise their rights in the election process and I want to thank the City Manager, the NCD Governor and the NCDC Board for always coming forward to assist us with our mandated responsibility to conduct elections in the country.” Mr. Sinai said.
He strongly appealed to all eligible voters not to waste this opportunity to exercise their rights through the ballot papers and must take the responsibility to cast their votes.
“Take the responsibility to exercise your rights in the elections and do not allow any circumstance or situation to manipulate you.
“Better elections start with you. Take responsibility,” the Chief Electoral Commissioner emphasized.
The Motu Koita Assembly is the only form of local level government in the city and will join the rest of the local level governments in the country to hold its elections.
MKA Chief Executive Officer, Mari Kila was relieved with the elections eventually taking place this year.
“I am thankful that the elections are taking place this year and I want to thank NCDC and the PNGEC for all the efforts made to stage the elections and, in the process, allowing our people their right to vote for their leaders,” Mr. Kila said.