By DALCY LULUA
THE Motu Koita Assembly (MKA) election that was deferred from last year, is expected to be held anytime soon.
This follows a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Capital District Commission (NCDC), Motu Koita Assembly (MKA) and the Electoral Commission of Papua New Guinea (PNGEC) on Wednesday.
NCDC City Manager Ravu Frank highlighted that Motu Koita conducts elections that require leaders to be elected.
“This election was something that would have happened last year but due to certain challenges and issues, it’s now deferred to this year,” Mr Frank said.
“There’s a little bit of funding of K500 000 that the board has approved to go to this exercise,” he added.
Frank also stressed that NCDC stand prepared to give its support that is required to the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission.
“We are happy to support and we look forward to the completion of this election in the months to come; it is going to be conducted soon,” he said.
PNGEC Commissioner Simon Sinai thanked the NCDC City Manager and the Motu Koita Assembly to come up with an understanding to partner in delivering the long overdue MKA election.
“Election is democracy and a legislated activity that must be conducted to install and instil government.
“And that is our primary aim as the PNGEC and other partnering bodies.”
“We are only facilitating and you (NCDC) have to take the lead to contribute towards resourcing, sub-management, logistics and everything else,” Commissioner Sinai said.
“It’s part of the constitutional duty, that all of us need to work together to deliver for and on behalf of the people and for the people.”
The Electoral Commissioner also stressed that this might be the last election for the MKA people as an Assembly.
“That could be the last election, after this it will be a different election under the Organic Law.
“Motu Koitabu has now been identified and recognized by the government through the electoral boundaries commission.
“MKA has been approved and proposed for an open electorate for the indigenous people of MKA.”
