The National General Election currently underway in Papua New Guinea is facing many widespread challenges; the electoral process is not by all means fair and free for the most part and has been going from bad to worse.
With counting for most electorates and provinces commencing, the new Government will be pressured to solve this growing problem.
While the caretaker Government is in control, Acting Prime Minister, John Rosso in the absence of James Marape who is on official duty travel to Fiji, promised the Media that the priority of the next Government must be to ensure the electoral process is refined and transparency and good governance prevails in future elections.
“When Government is formed our first task must be to look at our electoral process, we should look at introducing electronic polling and counting so that most of these things are done properly, there should be adequate planning in place before we enter the next elections that is in my view is our outmost priority,” Rosso told media in Port Moresby.
Without a doubt the priority is obviously to have the elections conclude and have the formation of Government in the coming weeks.
“The Chief Secretary and the relevant authorities are doing everything possible to ensure that despite some of the issues being faced they are taken care of and a new Government is formed,” Rosso said.Prime Minister James Marape was on his way to Fiji for the 51st Pacific Islands Forum when Rosso met with Media yesterday.
He said PNG plays an important role in the Pacific and has commitments also with other regional forums like the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).
“The 51st Pacific Islands Forum, in which Prime Minister James Marape is attending, in Suva, Fiji, is the most significant in recent history, as the region gradually emerges from the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Prime Minister Marape, who has also been caught up in election matters, has made time available in his very busy schedule to participate as Head of Government at this important regional summit.
“It is also important that our Prime Minister attends this meeting as he will be handing over the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Chair to Vanuatu,” Rosso said.
Rosso added that the regional meets are of pressing issues and thus James Marape, despite being a part of the caretaker Government had to be present.
“Until the Return of Writs, as stipulated by law, Prime Minister Marape still remains the Head of our Government,” Acting Prime Minister Rosso clarified.
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