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National General Elections 2022

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Calls to Fix National General Elections

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The Assistant Deputy Bishop of Caritas PNG, Bishop Ain Soongie has supported calls by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to rectify the situation of the 2022 National General Elections.

The bishop made this statement following what has been described as the worst National Elections in the history of Papua New Guinea.

“There was no democratic exercise of the right to elect a leader to the parliament. That is obviously experienced mainly in the Highlands provinces, but more so in all other provinces,” Bishop Soongie stated.

The bishop also made mentioned that after almost 50 years of independence, there was no improvement in this vital system of government.

“As a matter of fact, getting towards 50 years of independence, we would by now have improved all systems of the government, however, what has transpired in this election seems that we have a long way to go,” Soongie said.

He also called on the country’s leaders and important stakeholders to evaluate, plan and strategize for a better election come 2027.

“The people of Papua New Guinea deserve better from our leaders. In whatever way you have entered parliament today, you have the responsibility before you to make sure that citizens of this country get better services,” he added.

“If there is a change to be made for the better of our nation, it must start now. We have 5 years to prepare for a good election. 2022 National General Election was one that deprived the rights of the citizens of this country for a fair election,” he said.

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National Elections

Yama Struck Out of Race

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Former Governor for Madang and People’s Labor Party man, Peter Yama is officially out of the race following exclusion number 34 today.

Yama bows out with 39 058 votes.

His votes will be distributed to the last three candidates still in the race.

Leading comfortably is lawyer and People’s First Party candidate Ramsey Pariwa with 100,537 votes.

Jerry Singirok secures the second spot with 60, 657 and Benny Panti on 39,703 votes.

Yama is a seasoned politician.

He was first elected to the 5th National Parliament for the Sumkar Open Seat in a by-election in October 1992 following the death of previous MP, Galen Lang in August 1992.

He served as the Minister for Works from September 1994, then Minister for Transport and Works in 1995.

In 2001, he launched the People’s Labor Party before going into Elections in 2002.

He was re-elected into the 7th Parliament as Member for Usino-Bundi.

In 2003 he succeeded Peter O’Neill as the Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations under Somara/Marat Government.

He was decommissioned as a Minister for State in the 12th of November 2002 and recommended for dismissal from Parliament by a Leadership Tribunal on charges of misconduct in office on the 1st of December 2004.

The dismissal was however overturned by the National Court in 2005.

Yama was then appointed the member of Pensions and Retirement Benefits Committee and Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chair in May of 2006.

Mr Yama is also a prominent businessman in the Province.

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National Elections

NGI QRF commended for Successful Election Security

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THE Niugini Islands Quick Reaction Force comprising Police and PNG Defense Force personnel were acknowledged for their efforts during the election period in the New Guinea Islands Region.

NGI Assistant Commissioner for Police, (ACP) Perou N’Dranou commended the security forces who were based in Manus, New Ireland, East and West New Britain provinces, saying NGI was the first region to complete counting.

“I want to thank all my Provincial Police Commissions for the good leadership you all have shown in ensuring instructions were given, tasks were completed and also have accommodated any last minute instructions or decisions from the top management, said ACP N’Dranou.

The security personnel who were deployed to NGI have since returned to their respective provinces.

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National Elections

Counting for NCD Regional Delayed Once More

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A counting official for the NCD Regional Seat at Rita Flynn says the Electoral Commission is not keeping its promises.

Mathew, as he’d like to be called told Inside PNG, they were promised they would be paid by last Thursday but six days have passed and they are yet to be paid.

At 1pm today, Inside PNG visited NCD Regional Counting Center where counting officials sat outside and refused to resume counting.

“The Election Manager and his team told us to count and we counted, but we are not being paid, Mathew said.

At 3am this morning, counting officials doing the night shift stopped counting because of the same issue, delayed payment of outstanding allowances.

“Since Monday, we had no meals provided to us. We were told that we will be paid meal allowances, but that did not happen. Instead, we were only eating coffee and biscuit,” Mathew said.

“Also there are no more fuel vouchers for the PMVs to drop those doing night shifts,” Mathew added.

With all these concerns raised by Mathew, counting is further delayed today.

Despite four weeks of counting for the NCD Regional Seat, counting is still in the primary votes.

There are 50 more boxes remaining before quality checks are done and elimination will begin.

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National Elections

Counting Official Sent Home

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Police have refused a counting official entry into the NCD Regional Counting Venue after a police complaint was laid against him by incumbent Governor, Powes Pakop.

The counting official whose name was mentioned in a letter addressed to NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Gideon Ikumu was suspected of the following allegations,

  1. He was known as a key coordinator to Regional Candidate, Micheal Kandiu during the campaign period. Parkop alleges that the suspected official was carrying out all activities during campaign for Mr. Kandiu.
  2. The nature of this complaint, transpired from alleged foul play inside the counting venue.

Parkop alleges that during the vote recount for Koki/Wanigela Box which happened at the suspect’s counting station, the recount increased by four votes.

The allegation is that the suspect framed the issue of having foreign ballot papers with no corresponding serial numbers in the tray of candidate 12.

The initial count was at 398 but after the recount, the votes increased by 4 which brought the total to 402

Based on these allegations, police officials at Rita Flynn refused entry to the suspected official yesterday afternoon when he tried to access the counting venue.

Meanwhile counting for the Regional Seat is suspended as of 8am today and will resume at 6pm tonight.

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National Elections

Hiri-Koiari Awaits Declaration

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Two candidates remain in the race for the new electorate, Hiri-Koiari as the nation counts down to the return of Writs.

The final exclusion will be of independent candidate, Willie Kaeaka who polled 5,613 votes after the 32nd exclusion.

Kaeaka’s votes will be distributed to leading candidate, Keith Iduhu (NGP) on 12, 573 votes and second on the ladder with 8599 votes, Steven John Manai (URP) 

As of exclusion 32, the absolute majority stands at 13, 403 votes.

A total of 35 candidates contested for the Hiri-Koiari Open Seat after a split in the electoral boundaries from then Kairuku-Hiri Open.

The new district now has 3 LLGs and 60 wards.

Hiri-Koiari Returning Officer, Leo Ameua told Inside PNG the delays in counting are a result of grievances by counting officials’ outstanding allowances.

“Some of the counting officials who were polling officials were not paid polling allowances and this caused the delays in counting,” said RO Ameua.

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Politics

O’Neill Seeks Legal Clarity on GG Invite

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Former Prime Minister and leader of the People’s National Congress Party, Peter O’Neill is asking the Supreme Court to look into the legality of the parliament sitting next Tuesday and the invitation issued by the Governor General’s office to form Government.

“In the application to the Supreme Court, an action I did not take lightly, I seek clarification on the appropriateness of the first meeting of Parliament next Tuesday and the legality of
the invitation being extended to the party with the most declared seats being able to nominate a candidate for the position of the Prime Minister, “ Mr O’Neill said.

Another question he is putting forward to the court to interpret is whether it is legal to proceed in the election of the Prime Minister when seats are yet to be declared.

“I have also asked for the court’s interpretation of inconsistencies between the Organic Law of Political Parties and Parliament Standing Orders in addition to requesting the Supreme Court interpret and provide direction on the denial of rights of many to have a voice in Parliament if the writs in their electorate are not returned by this afternoon,” O’Neill said.

Yesterday, Pangu leader and Caretaker Prime Minister, James Marape issued a statement saying that his party and its coalition stands ready to form government.

“I thank God and the people of Papua New Guinea for participating in the 2022 National General Election as Pangu prepares to receive the invitation to form Government,” PM Marape said.

The Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai is expected to hand the returned Writs today to the Governor General at the close of business.

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National Elections

Ghate Bows out of NGE 2022 Race with Gratitude

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Incumbent Member for Daulo and caretaker Minister for Environment Conservation and Climate Change, Pogio Ghate has thanked the people of Daulo, Eastern Highlands Province for the mandate accorded to him in the last five years.

The Pangu candidate made this remark following his exclusion in the 2022 National General Election.

“Its the people’s choice to elect new leader, it’s not my birthright or anyone else to claim the seat, I respect the other fifty-six contestants of Daulo and wish them good luck,” said Ghate.

Ghate thanked the Incumbent, James Marape for three things:

1) Visiting the Daulo district,

2) According him a portfolio to oversee in spite of the short time frame and,

3) Having confidence in his leadership.

“As the out going MP for Daulo, I take this time to congratulate my successor.

“I did what I can to the best of my ability in service delivery despite the covid-19 pandemic in the country. I have no regrets and I am now a happy free man moving on,” Ghate expressed.

I also congratulate those who retain their seats and newcomers as well. Wishing them good luck to form government,” Ghate said.

“I delivered more services to my people than other district did in two years when Pangu took the government in 2019 and I and have no regrets at any cost despite three years wasted in court battle,” he said.

Under Ghate’s leadership, the Daulo DDA created the Daulo Civil Works and Daulo Fresh Produce.

“Two companies for the people of Daulo to benefit from and some projects that I left due to the my limited timing are now in your power,” he said.

Wishing you all the best and good luck, Ghate said.

The Pangu candidate acknowledged Finschhafen MP elect, Rainbo Paita for assistance while being a Minister for National Planning.

Ghate also expressed his concern about the election in Daulo District.

“Most of the candidate and their supporters accused us of foul play, with properties destroyed, and two innocent supporters kidnapped,” said Ghate.

But the outgoing MP forgave those who accused him stating he is looking forward to helping the new MP and completing ongoing development projects initiated under his leadership.

“As I bow out, I would like to thank all the Pangu team for the support especially incumbent Prime Minister and Tari Pori MP elect, James Marape.

He thanked his supporters for maintaining peace and order despite false accusation, critics and violence in Daulo electorate.

Ghate was eliminated on the 6th position. A new MP for Daulo is expected to be declared as counting and exclusions continues.

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National Elections

O’Neill Extends PNC’s Support to Alternate PM

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Former Prime Minister and PNC leader, Peter O’Neill says he is ready to support any leader as an alternate Prime Minister.

“I am quite happy to spend my time focused on Ialibu Pangia and home Province of Southern
Highlands,” Mr O’Neill said in a statement.

He continued, “This creates space for young, dynamic leaders from within our People’s National
Congress Party and all parties to step up and form Government”.

He said he gives his party’s full support.

“You will have my 100% support and I ask nothing special in return,” the member-elect for Ialibu Pangia said.

The PNC leader said the formation of government is not about only him and Pangu Pati leader, James Marape.

“I encourage leaders who have been elected properly and who are genuinely interested in rescuing PNG from the economic and social chaos Marape has plunged the country into the past three years, to consider putting their hand up for the top job,” he said.

With a day left till the Return of Writs and declarations wind down the 2022 National Parliament election, PNC and Pangu are clearly the front-runners to dictate who forms the next government.

Many parties have given their support to the ruling party while none have openly expressed support to PNC.

“Genuine leaders do not want another five years like the last three,” Mr O’Neill added.

While the camps muscle up before a show of numbers on the floor of parliament, the political affair between O’Neill and Marape were not always about blame and accusations.

In 2017 around this time, Marape was part of the PNC camp in Alotau that delivered the Prime Ministership on the floor, a seat he later reclaimed following a Vote of No Confidence.

Pangu, with its current numbers and coalition partners look set to form Government, however, the true outcome will be revealed on the floor of Parliament.

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National Elections

Yakasa Concerned Over Delays in Counting

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NCD Regional candidate, Fred Yakasa is concerned over continuous delays in counting for the NCD Regional Seat.

He said these are the sentiments of all candidates contesting the top seat in the nation’s capital.

“There have been delays in polling, counting and this continues. It’s irritating and candidates are dismayed,” said Yakasa.

Mr Yakasa said the electoral commission has miserably failed with so many issues surrounding polling and counting.

He said with the date of return of writs nearing, he is not sure if counting for the NCD Regional Seat will be completed or not.

The former city police boss said candidates will not stop the process unnecessarily if things are done according to election laws.

“The electoral commission cannot blame us. We are seeing that things are not right and that is the whole reason,” Mr Yakasa said.

Mr Yakasa further stressed that for NCD Regional, counting is being delayed for more than 2 days. He said this is a waste of time.

“The NCD Election Manager, Kila Ralai continues to be late at the counting rooms. The other day we were told by our scrutineers that he arrived late in the evening.

Their actions continue to be suspicious. More and more evidence are being uncovered and those responsible must be held accountable,” said Yakasa.

Mr Yakasa urged the next Government to prioritize fixing all matters relating the election process.

“Whoever forms Government must look into this concern and ensure all matters like the common roll, including voting and the counting process are improved,” said Mr Yakasa.

He said the 2022 national election has not been safe and fair.

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