Motu-Koita people in the National Capital District will have their own representative in Parliament in 2027 as one of the six new electorates confirmed by Papua New Guinea Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai.
The others are Baniara in Milne Bay, Baining in East New Britain, Middle Sepik in East Sepik, Mendi Central in Southern Highlands and Anglimp in Jiwaka.
“It is a must that the people of Motu-Koita be represented in Parliament,” Sinai said.
“In 2027, Motu-Koitabuans will have their own electorate, and it will be for the indigenous people to contest for the seat. This is a big change that is bound to happen, so all of us must be prepared for it.”
Sinai, also the Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) chairman, said this would take the total number of Open seats in Parliament to 102.
The commission proposed in 2022 to have six new electorates created by 2027.
Sinai, who was at the Motu-Koita Assembly elections counting centre at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby on Friday, said that the one-day voting on Thursday was conducted without much trouble.
Russel Wavik ousted Dadi Toka Junior as the assembly chairman. Also elected were two women representatives and 14 ward councillors.
Sinai congratulated the people, election officials and winners for ensuring that the democratic process of an election was followed.
He added that the Electoral Commission was focusing on implementing reforms to improve future elections in the country.
He added: “I thank you all for your support. This is the way we should be conducting elections. We are planning to change our methods to improve elections to ensure that things like the counting process is done faster.
“We are changing elections for the better and that will require everyone’s support,” he said.
