The Southern Highlands Deputy Provincial Administrator responsible for running the LLG elections in the province delivered the election report to the Provincial Executive Council today.
Dr. Emmanuel Kumpio Andrew, who is responsible for Districts, LLGs, Law and Justice Sector, delivered the report in front of Governor William Powi, local MPs for the four districts and the PEC members.
He said that despite delays in running the elections, it was one of the safest conducted in the province.
Dr Andrew said SHP is being known for political mayhem but this election was different.
“Under the political leadership of Governor Hon. William Titpe Powi and Acting Provincial Administrator David Kelma, the election process was managed well”, said the Deputy Provincial Administrator.
Dr. Andrew thanked the five DDAs for their collaborative support given to the provincial administration.
“Aside from the 22 LLGs in total, only one LLG failed. The election had a success rate of 94 percent. That is something we can be proud of,” said Dr. Andrew.
Governor Powi acknowledged the effort and commitment put forward by the Deputy Administrator in seeing the LLG election process completed.
“I acknowledge and thank Deputy Provincial Administrator Dr. Andrew and the provincial administration for completing the election process safely. I also thank the Electoral Commission on that note,” Powi said.
The Governor added that those failed council wards and LLGs will go into a supplementary election with the support of the National Government.
Defense Minister and Nipa Kutubu MP Dr Billy Joseph and Mendi Munihu MP Raphael Tonpi shared the same sentiments.
Former Prime Minister Peter O’Neil congratulated the newly elected president’s for each districts and also thank the provincial administration for their tireless effort in seeing this election conducted peacefully.