Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato, confirms that Iven Lakatani is the gazetted Provincial Returning Officer for New Ireland Province.
This confirmation will now clear confusion among intending candidates vying for the Governor’s seat, on who to nominate with.
The confusion came about when two different appointment lists were sent to New Ireland, with two different names.
One on, March 30th 2017, named Iven Lakatani, and another on April 3rd 2017, named Glenson Laena.
All this is comes amidst ongoing issues within the New Ireland Provincial Government, especially on restructure and their legality.
In the confusion, three intending candidates have nominated with Laena.
Gamato said they must now go before Lakatani to renominate before closing of nomination on Thursday, 27th April.
So far, six candidates have nominated, with sitting Governor Sir Julius Chan nominating on Thursday last week, when nominations opened.
John Paska is expected to nominate, yesterday, for the seat.
