The new and extended deadline for the return of writs for the 2022 PNG National Elections has now been gazetted. The gazetted deadline is 5th August 2022, moved back from the initially announced date of 12th August 2022. The Gazette No. G597 has been signed off by the Governor General, Sir Bob Dadae today enforcing the decision to extend the date based on special circumstances to allow for a majority of the writs to be delivered to the Head of State. The Electoral Commission now has a week to compile and return the writs by Friday, 5th August at 4pm. Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape said this was because the decision to defer the return of writs to August 12 has not been gazetted. Marape says Parliament is expected to sit on August 9th, 2022. Mr Marape, in a media conference this afternoon, urged all counting officials around the country to assist in speeding up the process to meet the deadline. The Prime Minister further called on public servants and security personnel to assist