By Theckla Gunga – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Sir Andrew Trawen is retiring from Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission after serving two full terms as Papua New Guinea’s Electoral Commissioner.
Sir Andrew joined PNGEC in 1974 and worked with the Commission until his highest posting in 2004, as Electoral Commissioner.
He was given a state farewell this week which was witnessed by heads of both the government and the opposition.
Sir Andrew is the seventh Chief Electoral Commissioner for Papua New Guinea.
He has worked with PNGEC for 41 years where he headed the conduct of the 2007 and 2012 National General Elections.
Sir Andrew has served as District Electoral Officer in Morobe, Eastern Highlands and East New Britain provinces.
To date, Sir Andrew is the longest serving election executive in the Pacific and the only election officer who has fully participated in all eight National General Elections since PNG’s Independence.
Reflecting on his career, Sir Andrew said failed elections in the 2012 National General Election in the Highlands Region was his greatest challenge while the use of Limited Preferential Voting Systems during National General Elections and By-elections were big achievements for PNGEC.
Sir Andrew will officially vacant his office in January 2016.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=yXkII71fIOw%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
