By DALCY LULUA
Polling for the Motu Koita Assembly elections is set to begin tomorrow, Thursday,17 July 2025, marking a crucial moment for the traditional landowners of Port Moresby who have long called for greater recognition and improved services.
The elections will see the people of 14 Motu and Koitabu villages head to the polls to elect their new Assembly chairman, deputy chairman, women’s representative and 17 ward councilors.
It will be a one-day poll and all 14 polling stations around the Motu Koitabu villages will be open around 8am for voting to start.
This year’s election is especially significant, as it includes the candidacy of Beatrice Mahuru, the former CEO of the Digicel Foundation and the only woman contesting for the chairperson’s seat.
Mahuru’s campaign has drawn widespread attention for its focus on health, education, women’s empowerment, and economic inclusion for Motu Koitabuans.
“For too long, our people have watched others prosper on our
land while our schools, clinics, and roads fall apart. It’s time for that to change,” Mahuru said during a recent rally in Porebada.
The elections, originally scheduled for 12 July, were delayed due to administrative challenges but are now fully supported by a K500,000 commitment from the National Capital District Commission (NCDC).
The funding agreement, signed between the NCDC, the PNG Electoral Commission, and the Motu Koita Assembly, ensures logistical support for polling, security, and vote counting.
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), JICA and other esteemed will be on site at Tatana Island tomorrow morning to witness the start of the polling.
With campaigning now wrapped up and polling stations prepared, tomorrow marks a critical step in empowering the Motu Koitabu people to decide on their future well-being and co-existence in a rapidly modernising city.