Corruption watchdog, Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) is urging the Government not to rush through the process of creating the new electorates with only a month to go before the issue of writes for the 2022 National General Elections.
TIPNG believes any decision by the Government to create new electorates with one month of the issue of writs for the 2022 National General Elections, is irresponsible and will adversely impact both the governance and the administration of the elections.
The Board Chair of TIPNG, Peter Aitsi in a media statement said Papua New Guineans expect our elected representatives to uphold the democratic ideals that underpin our National Constitution.
He said, parliament’s decision to create new electorates in the absence of reliable census data, no gazettal notices, proper broad public consultation as required by the law and with no consideration for the administrative implications in the coming elections is highly irresponsible.
TIPNG urged the Marape Government not to rush through this process, as their actions stand the risk of being viewed as creating new political boundaries purely for political convenience to secure numbers.
“The voting public are right to wonder, if such a decision at this time is really serving the national interest?”
Under section 36 of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Elections, the boundaries of an open electorate are drawn or revised taking into consideration; the population density; physical features and communications; existing electoral boundaries; Local Level & Provincial Governments and other administrative areas; and community and diversity of interest where it is considered relevant to do so.
Under section 41(1) of the organic law, parliament has a time frame of two months to consider the recommendations and it may do any one of the following by way of resolution:
• Accept the recommendation wholly;
• Reject the recommendation wholly;
• Reject the recommendation and refer specific matters for reconsideration by the commission
TIPNG is calling on the Government to instead focus its attention on addressing the administrative requirements to deliver an effective, free, fair and safe 2022 National General Elections.
It believes the introduction of any new electorates would present a significant operational nightmare for the PNG Electoral Commission and Security Forces given the time left to recruit additional manpower, survey polling sites, counting venues and printing of ballot papers.
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