Registrar of Political Parties, Dr Alphonse Gelu says the move by Peter Ipatas to the People’s National Congress Party is not illegal after calls were made by the Opposition Leader, Don Polye to have the PNC Party and the Peoples Party (PP) de-registered.
Polye said it was unacceptable for a leader of Ipatas calibre to abandon PP and join PNC.
He also said Ipata’s nomination under the PNC banner was a ‘blunder’ and ‘illegal’ and called for the Registrar of Political Parties and Candidates, Dr. Alphonse Gelu to de-register both party’s.
He further added “therefore I’m urging very strongly that Dr Gelu sets the precedence without fear or favour to start the de-registration of these two political parties.
Dr Gelu however, told Loop PNG that Ipatas and Minister for Civil Aviation, Steven Davies, handed in documents to the Registry on Tuesday relinquishing their membership to PP.
He said currently they are awaiting official letters from PNC stating their endorsement of Sir Peter and Davies.
“As the matter stands its not against the law for Sir Ipatas to do that. He’s allowed to do that, but the issue is about the timing, it was done after the issue of writs. But still it is not illegal it is not unlawful,” Gelu said.