THE Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) team, led by acting Electoral Commissioner Margaret Vagi, visited Imbonggu in Southern Highlands to verify and confirm the proposed land boundaries for the Mendi Central and Imbonggu electorates ahead of General Election 2027.
The delegation was welcomed by Imbonggu district chief executive officer Paul Kereme, provincial administrator David Kelma, election manager Grace Wong, Ialibu Basin and Imbonggu local level government (LLG) presidents Robert Dopo with Tapoiye Natil and other provincial leaders.
Vagi, in thanking the people for the reception said six new electorates had been approved following the EBC review process and were being prepared for implementation in the 2027 General Election.
“We have already completed work on three electorates and Mendi Central is the fourth.
“We must ensure everything is done according to the law because this opportunity comes only once,” Vagi said.
Electoral Boundaries Commissioner Francis Kaigerua said the visit aimed at implementing the boundary changes approved by Parliament in March of 2022.
“We will obtain global positioning system (GPS) coordinates to accurately establish and formalise the boundaries. “The coordinates will help us identify and confirm the final ward locations,” Kaigerua said.
He said Lower Mendi LLG and Mendi Urban LLG would form the proposed Mendi Central electorate following decisions made during consultations.
Kereme also commended Vagi and her team for progressing the boundary review exercise and called on the people of Southern Highlands to work together to ensure peaceful elections.
“We are peaceful people, but elections have often brought challenges.
“It is now our responsibility to deliver free, fair and successful elections.
“We must put our differences aside and work together with the Electoral Commission at district and provincial levels to move Southern Highlands forward,” he said.
