By GABRIEL KATUHO
Acting Electoral Commissioner Margaret Vagi gave update on the Dei Open and New Ireland Regional by-elections today.
In a media briefing at the PNG Electoral Commission headquarters in Port Moresby, Mrs Vagi said the by-elections were proceeding as scheduled with no major incidents reported since the close of nominations last Thursday.
“There were no major incidents in the two provinces in New Ireland and Dei, Western Highlands. I would like to commend the voters and the supporters and the people of this two provinces who have done extremely well during the nomination period,” she said.
“At close of nominations on 11th December, a total of 35 candidates who were nominated to contest the two by-elections. In Dei we have 25 candidates nominated to contest and in New Ireland there were 10 candidates nominated to contest election,” she added.
Mrs Vagi appealed to the people to participate in campaign and not to cause unnecessary disruptions as the campaign would run through the festive period.
She also appealed to the community leaders, police and the community members to respect one another during the festive season and run campaign in an orderly manner.
“For those who are seen removing candidates’ posters and causing disruptions along the way to be considerate that those are election offenses that you might be arrested and be charged in the court of law,” Mrs Vagi said.
The campaign period will end on 16 January and the polling will start on 17 January 2026.
“Within that period until 17th of January we have about five weeks to run the campaign. Poling will start on the 17 of January 2026 and ends on the 30th of January and the counting will start on the 31st of January. But that again depends on the situation on each provinces,” she said.
Mrs Vagi said the Electoral Commission intended to return the writs on or before 28 February 2026.