PNG Government Prioritizes National Exams, Postpones LLG Elections
The Papua New Guinea government has announced a further delay in this year’s Local Level Government (LLG) elections to prioritize the uninterrupted completion of national examinations for grades 8, 10, and 12. The new polling date is set for October 25, 2025.
Acting Prime Minister John Rosso, in a statement released on Thursday, emphasized the importance of ensuring that students can focus on their exams without disruptions caused by the electoral process. “After extensive consultations with key electoral stakeholders over the past three days, we concluded that deferring the LLG elections is essential to protect the academic interests of our students,” Rosso stated.
The decision follows concerns raised by citizens about the potential impact of the LLG elections on students preparing for their national exams. Rosso explained that the government, in collaboration with the Electoral Commission, opted to maintain the original exam schedule while rescheduling the elections. The confirmed examination dates are as follows:
- Grade 10 Examinations: October 6–10, 2025
- Grade 12 Examinations: October 13–17, 2025
- Grade 8 Examinations: October 20–24, 2025
Rosso acknowledged the logistical challenges this poses for the Electoral Commission, which was already in an advanced state of preparedness for the elections. “This was not an easy decision, but it underscores our commitment to balancing the constitutional mandate of holding LLG elections with the need to safeguard our children’s education,” he said.
Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai has agreed to exercise his constitutional authority to postpone the polling, a move Rosso praised as a commitment to prioritizing the nation’s future generations. The Electoral Commission will soon release a revised timeline for polling, counting, and the return of writs.
The LLG elections were initially scheduled to begin in July 2025, following the issuance of writs in May. However, they were postponed to September due to changes in the number of Local Level Governments. Earlier this month, Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs Minister Soroi Eoe had assured Parliament that no further delays would occur, stating, “This is the 11th hour, we can’t make any more changes.” Despite this, the government has prioritized the national exams, prompting the latest deferral.
The government has also engaged a technical team, reporting to the chief secretary, to address operational challenges arising from the postponement. Legal advice from the state solicitor and the Department of Justice and Attorney-General has guided the decision-making process.
Rosso expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to both education and democratic processes.
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