Papua New Guinea's Electoral Commissioner is disappointed that over $US450,000 worth of government funding to conduct the Motu-Koitabu Assembly local body elections has not been paid, less than two weeks out from when they scheduled to be held.
Papua New Guinea's Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
Patilias Gamato said he had not received $US272,000 from the National Government and $US181,000 from the National Capital District Commission, as expected.
Mr Gamato has called on the government and NCDC to release the money as a matter of urgency so that the Electoral Commission can conduct the Motu-Koitabu elections.
He said he was very concerned that the elections are now into the second week of campaigning but the ballot papers have not been printed due to funding shortages.
Mr Gamato said the Electoral Commission had formally written to both governments and was still waiting.
The Chief Secretary to Government, Isaac Lupari, said over $US300,000 would be released to conduct the Motu-Koitabu Assembly elections.
He said he was surprised that the Electoral Commissioner went public on something that was an administrative matter.