BY ALEX DADAMU
MINISTER for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Hon. Rollen Seleso has made justification as to why he as the Minister responsible for Provincial Government put out an order and notice for the election date for Western and Choiseul provinces to be held on the 14th of December, 2022.
Minister Seleso was replying to questions raised by the Leader of Opposition, Matthew Cooper Wale in parliament yesterday about the current update of the provincial elections.
Hon. Seleso said that the Western and Choiseul provincial assemblies naturally dissolved on June 13, 2022, and according to Section 9 of the Provincial Government Act 1997, ‘Subject to subsection (2) an ordinary election of members of a Provincial Assembly shall be held on the fourth anniversary of the date of the previous election of members (in this case, should be on 14th June 2022) (Weather it was an ordinary election or an election held under section 10 (4).
“However, this could not eventuate due to the non-availability of an updated voters list.
“And based on that, I as the Minister responsible by the virtue of my powers under Section 47 of the Act, put out an order or notice for the election date to take place on December 14, 2022.
“This is to allow time for voters’ registration and preparations for the election in the two (2) provinces,” Minister Seleso explained.
He pointed out that the situation in those two provinces is unprecedented and never before has the country come across such an experience.
“Therefore, the order helps clarify how the provincial government will be administered.
“The order was necessary to avoid further confusion from the public,” Seleso stressed.
He further stated that he hope that the voters list be finalized and ready for voters to cast their votes by 14 October 2022.
At the same time, Attorney General, John Muria Junior also shed some light on the issue explaining the avenue that the Minister took stating that in terms of Section 47 of the Provincial Government Act 1997, it gives power to the Minister to deal with the situation as there is nothing provided for in the Act.
“The minister uses Section 47 of the Act to create a provision to cater for the situation because as I said, it is not provided for in the Act,” AG Muria explained.
In the meantime, the registration schedule on the ground is on track according to the Registration Manager for Western Province, Mr Patrick Toiraena.
Mr Toiraena told Isles Media that despite a few minor hiccups, currently, registration updates are done according to schedule and they are now awaiting compilation updates of the voters list by data officers.
“Provisional voters list will be put up shortly and then the objections and omission period will be followed,” he confirmed.
It was explained further by the Communications and Administration Officer (CAO), Mr Terence Ziru that the provisional voters list is currently being compiled and will be made available for the next phase of registration that allows the public to object to any listed voter.
“The objection and omission period should run for around 21 days and will be done by a separate team at precisely the same time in all 9 constituencies of the western province,” Mr Ziru elaborated.
It is confirmed by both the western province voter registration officers that the final list is scheduled to be completed and finalized by the end of October as mentioned by the minister.
It is understood that the voter registration in both provinces started on August 2nd and as mentioned, is projected to be completed by the end of October 2022 and then the election for a new assembly will be held on 14 December 2022.
