BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
THREE hundred and three (303) people from the Western province are ready to man the 101 polling stations within the 26 wards in the province.
Eligible voters will go to the polls tomorrow to elect new members of the provincial assembly.
The total number of candidates contesting this year’s provincial elections is 139. The initial list was 144 candidates.
Among the 139 confirmed candidates are five female.
Speaking in an interview with Western province returning officer, Mr Hopeful Piosasa, he said these officials will head out to their assigned polling stations today in preparation for tomorrow’s polling day.
He said 202 polling officials and 101 presiding officers completed a one-day intensive training in Gizo last week.
Piosasa said the training covered voting aspects including procedures and processes and responsibilities as managers of polling stations.
“This year provincial election is the same as the 2014 provincial election, except, not all provinces go to poll but only Western and Choiseul.
“101 polling stations within the 26 ward in the province will open at 7am and closes 5pm.
“Voters are being urged to get to the polling station within this time.”
He explained that voters are required to tick only one box against the candidate of their choice.
Piosasa added that counting stations will only be at Seghe, Noro and Gizo. For Marovo wards, the counting will be based at Seghe, for New Georgia it will be based at Noro and for Kolombangara, Vella, Simbo, Ranonga, Vonavona and Shortland Islands they will be announced at Gizo.
Security will be tightened as police presence will be boosted with the deployment of additional police officers to the Western province.
Supporters of the contending candidates have been urged to maintain respect and peace and continue to observe election laws.
