The Acting Electoral Commissioner Margaret Vagi confirmed yesterday, that there will be one-day polling for the two by-elections currently underway for Dei Open in Western Highlands Province and New Ireland Provincial Seat.
Both seats were vacant following the deaths of the respective leaders while serving as the Members for the 10th Parliament.
Vagi said, with less than two weeks remaining before the polling, the elections have been progressing smoothly since the writs were issued last year on the 4th of December.
“I commend everyone for conducting yourselves peacefully and allowing smooth progress of the by-elections so far. The campaign period will officially end on Friday 16th January 2026 at midnight and we will have one-day polling on Monday 19th January 2026 for both seats,” she said.
The Acting Electoral Commissioner said all polling materials are expected to arrive in the respective electorates next week and will be distributed according to the number of polling teams in each electorate.
She said, there will be 57 polling teams for Dei Open and 156 polling teams for New Ireland Provincial seat.
“Counting will commence immediately after all ballot boxes have been safely extracted and taken to the main counting centre,” she added.
In summary, New Ireland has 10 candidates contesting the provincial seat left vacant after the passing of Senior Statesman and one of PNG’s Founding Fathers Grand Chief Sir Julius Chan.
Meanwhile, Dei Open has 25 candidates vying for the seat, however, only one candidate Jeremiah Pim is contesting under the Pipol First Party, while the rest have been nominated as independent candidates.
Mrs Vagi said since the polling and counting will be happening at the start of the school year, all necessary measures are put in place in consultation with relevant stakeholders to ensure classes are not disrupted.
