Count high on informal votes

THE numbers of informal votes are increasing as counting continues in many provinces throughout the country.
After count 107 for the National Capital District Regional seat a total of 3115 informal ballot papers were recorded.
In the East New Britain Provincial seat as of yesterday morning more than 2667 informal ballot papers were recorded from a grand total 50968.
While in the Manus provincial and open seats which have already be declared informal ballot papers were recorded to be 898 and 677 respectively. All the electorates which are into the counting are recording huge number of informal ballot papers. Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen said the increasing number of informal votes could mean that people did not fully under stand the new LPV system due to lack of awareness.
But Mr Trawen said lack of awareness was out of the question as awareness was conducted throughout the country
He said the increasing number of informal ballot papers could be a result of people not fully understanding the Limited Preferential Voting system.
“Or it could be because not enough awareness was conducted,” Mr Trawen said.
He made this comment after the Post Courier asked him why the numbers of informal votes were increasing while counting progresses in the National Capital District and through out the country.
He said the electoral commission had done enough publicity and awareness on the LPV system but could not say why there were many informal ballot papers.
“We have done what we can. But there is also room of human error during polling,” Mr Trawen said.