Polling preparations for the Dei Open and New Ireland provincial electorates by-elections will progress as scheduled.
Polling will start on 17th January 2026 while the writs are set to be returned by 20th February 2026.
Acting Electoral Commissioner Margaret Vagi said this while appealing for calm and respect from electors and candidates in following the proper legal processes during polling and counting.
Officers from the PNGEC operations branch, training section and awareness team, have been deployed to the two electorates to assist officers on the ground and work with the ground teams, including Returning officers and Assistant Returning Officers, to ensure a successful outcome.
The Acting Electoral Commissioner also said that there have been cases of ‘early campaigning’ for the 2027 National General Elections and appealed for candidates, parties and supporters to refrain from this.
“Early campaigning for the NGE2027 is illegal and can cost a candidate or a party disqualification or fines under electoral and national laws,” Vagi said.
“Do not do early campaigning, this includes on social media and online platforms as well. There are applicable laws that can be utilized and those defaulting candidates, parties and their supporters will be charged under relevant laws,” she said.
The PNG Electoral Commission has issued a stern warning against early campaigning for the 2027 National General Elections (NGE2027).
Acting Electoral Commissioner Margaret Vagi said this as the Commission identified several cases of early campaigning for the 2027NGE.
