Optimism over new voting system in PNG
Published December 11th 2006 in ABC Asia Pacific
Papua New Guinea's electoral commissioner says he is confident the limited preferential voting system will work well in the country's future elections.

The acting commissioner, Andrew Trawen, made the statement as system is tested for the first time in a by-election for one of the country's 109 parliamentary seats.

Mr Trawen says voting in the Abau electorate, which ends on Thursday night - two days ahead of schedule - has demonstrated how the people have understood the limited preferential voting system.

He says voters cast their first, second and third preferences without much trouble.

Mr Trawen says couting under tight security starts next week and a new member will be declared after the new year.

Our reporter in PNG, Firmin Nanol, says a national court ordered the by-election after declaring the election of former public service minister, Dr Puka Temu, null and void after finding him guilty of bribery and putting undue influence on voters in last year's general elections.