Bustling town of Alotau

The wharf down in Alotau, Sanderson Bay has been completed and is in use now. Also in use is the newly opened Transit Hotel where islanders come in and overnight whilst selling their market produce. Currently the hotel doesn't charge any fee. Whilst down there there are strong sentiments that the lodge should charge a little fee for the up keeping. This was aired by one of the worker at the hotel. Another feather was the improvement of the town main bus stop. This has been extended and now caters for passengers towards Gurney,East Cape and the North Coast

Cabinet in the 9th Parliament

See the latest Cabinet Ministers and Political Party updates after the National General Elections in 2012 click here

National Institution continue to scrap through

The election observation during the month of July 2012 saw our team visiting a number of areas on our trip. One such place was the Igam Military barracks in Lae, Morobe Province. As with many governmental institutions many have seen the deterioration of infrastructure around it. The once pride of our country lie in bush covered vegetation almost a meter high. There was however some areas neatly cut but the place itself looked like a ghost town. The only post manned was the front entrance as we came in but the guard was not like the ones I knew before in the 1980s were very smart and on guard. It’s a pity an iconic institution that was once rated as one of the finest in jungle warfare had been neglected over the past years.

Smooth Pollings for Lae and Madang

Polling on the ground for two the centres went smoothly. Most were in an orderly manner with little security issues. We visited the three electorates in the Morobe Provinces which include Lae Open, Nawae Open and Huon Gulf electorates respectively before heading for Madang Province. By the time we arrived most of Madang electorate had polled. Sumkar on the outskirts of Madang was our next stop. From the surveyed questioned asked in regards to political parties, nearly 90% did not support a particular party. The sentiment received was that people tend to go with the candidate based on his merit, status or influence on the community or society. When asked about the women's opinion the general answer that women gave was that they voted according to the husbands support. Most people that went to vote found that they didn't have their names on the roll and were denied the right to vote. Overall the atmosphere was calm and collective in most polling stations. For the latest results on the national general elections 2012, click here or visit www.ippcc.gov.pg

Madang Morobe Highway

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The highway from Morobe to Madang is pretty much good though bumpy at times. The section in the Usino Bundi electorate is the part that is unsealed. PMV Buses frequent the highway as well as travelers who would rather save some bucks using this mode than on air. Another group of people are the buai buyers who mostly come from the highlands to get their stock. At times they hire the entire bus to transport their valuable green gold back to the highlands.

Observation Mission

Whilst the country went into polling, little did they know that a team from the Registry of Political Parties and Candidates Commission were doing their survey and observation throughout this period. A total of three teams covered the four regions. The observation would give an indication on how parties fair on the LLG level provincial level.The survey also included candidates, women and how the polling was conducted. Our team covered two centres which include Lae and Madang.

2012 National Election Polling dates

As the polling is fast approaching here is the polling dates for each provinces: Note that the highlands region will have a one day polling including main centers like Port Moresby, Lae and Mt Hagen Province Electorate Polling Dates Bougainville Central Bougainville 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 North Bougainville 23 Jun 12 to 6 Jul 12 South Bougainville 23 Jun 12 to 4 Jul 12 Central Abau 23 Jun 12 to 30 Jun 12 Goilala 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 Kairuku Hiri 23 Jun 12 to 30 Jun 12 Rigo 23 Jun 12 to 5 Jul 12 Chimbu Chuave 2 Jul 12 Gumine 2 Jul 12 Karamui-Nomane 2 Jul 12 Kerowagi 2 Jul 12 Kundiawa 2 Jul 12 Sinasina-Yongomugl 2 Jul 12 East New Britain Gazelle 23 Jun 12 to 29 Jun 12 Kokopo 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 Pomio 23 Jun 12 to 6 Jul 12 Rabaul 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 East Sepik Ambunti-Dreikikir 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 Angoram 23 Jun 12 to 29 Jun 12 Maprik 23 Jun 12 to 29 Jun 12 Wewak 23 Jun 12 to 30 Jun 12 Wosera-Gaui 23 Jun 12 to 29 Jun 12 Yanoru-Saussia 23 Jun 12 to 1 Jul 12 Eastern Highlands Daulo 5 jul 12 Goroka 5 jul 12 Henanofi 5 jul 12 Kainantu 5 jul 12 Lufa 5 jul 12 Obura-Wonenara 5 jul 12 Okapa 5 jul 12 Unggai-Bena 5 jul 12 Enga Kandep 26 Jun 12 Kompiam-Ambum 26 Jun 12 Lagaip-Pogera 26 Jun 12 Wabag 26 Jun 12 Wapenamanda 26 Jun 12 Gulf Kerema 23 Jun 12 to 30 Jul 12 Kikori 23 Jun 12 to 30 Jul 12 Hela Komo-Magarima 23 Jun 12 Koroba-Lake Kopiago 23 Jun 12 Tari 23 Jun 12 Jiwaka Anglimp-South Waghi 29 Jun 12 Jimi 29 Jun 12 North Waghi 29 Jun 12 Madang Bogia 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 Madang 23 Jun 12 to 29 Jun 12 Middle Ramu 23 Jun 12 to 3 Jul 12 Rai Coast 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 Sumkar 23 Jun 12 to 4 Jul 12 Usino Bundi 23 Jun 12 to 4 Jul 12 Manus Manus 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 Milne Bay Alotau 23 Jun 12 to 3 Jul 12 Esa’ala 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 Kiriwina-Goodenough 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 Samarai-Murua 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 Morobe Bulolo 23 Jun 12 to 3 Jul 12 Finschaffen 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 Huon Gulf 23 Jun 12 to 30 Jul 12 Kabwum 23 Jun 12 to 6 Jul 12 Lae 26 Jun 12 Markham 23 Jun 12 to 5 Jul 12 Menyamya 23 Jun 12 to 3 Jul 12 Nawe 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 Tewae-Siassi 23 Jun 12 to 3 Jul 12 NCD Moresby N/ East 26 Jun 12 Moresby N/ West 26 Jun 12 Moresby South 26 Jun 12 New Ireland Kavieng 23 Jun 12 to 1 Jul 12 Namatanai 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 Oro Ijivitari 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 Sohe 23 Jun 12 to 30 Jun 12 Southern Highlands Ialibu-Pangia 23 Jun 12 Imbonggu 23 Jun 12 Kagua-Erave 23 Jun 12 Mendi 23 Jun 12 Nipa-Kutubu 23 Jun 12 West New Britain Kandrian-Gloster 23 Jun 12 to 30 Jun 12 Talasea 23 Jun 12 to 29 Jun 12 Sandaun Aitape-Lumi 23 Jun 12 to 29 Jun 12 Nuku 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 Telefomin 23 Jun 12 to 1 Jul 12 Vanimo-Green River 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 Western Middle-Fly 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 North-Fly 23 Jun 12 to 2 Jul 12 South-Fly 23 Jun 12 to 4 Jul 12 Western Highlands Mul-Baiyer 29 Jun 12 Dei 29 Jun 12 Hagen 29 Jun 12 Tambul-Nebilyer 29 Jun 12