Polling for the four national by-elections is progressing with preparations now underway for the counting phase after all ballot boxes are accounted for and secured.
In Porgera-Paiela By-election, polling was successfully completed last week. All ballot boxes were securely extracted from polling sites and are currently locked away in containers at Porgera Station. Electoral officials are now awaiting a helicopter to airlift over 50 ballot boxes to Wabag on Monday, where counting will take place.
In Kabwum By-election, polling also concluded without any major incident. The last three ballot boxes from Bungawat were airlifted in by this morning and safely placed in secure storage at Kabwum station.
In Usino-Bundi By-election, polling is expected to wrap up in the coming week. Over 50 polling teams are currently operating across the rugged and remote parts of the electorate, working to reach all eligible voters before the scheduled completion.
Meanwhile, Aitape-Lumi By-election is approaching its final stages of polling. Most areas have completed voting, and extraction of ballot boxes has begun. Twenty-nine polling teams were dispatched throughout the electorate and are expected to start returning with the ballot boxes this weekend.
Election officials have confirmed that all polling for the four by-elections is being conducted within the scheduled timeframe. Counting will begin as soon as all ballot boxes are returned, verified, and securely transported to designated counting centres.
The Electoral Commission continues to monitor operations closely to ensure transparency, security, and the successful conclusion of the by-election process.