Prime Minister Peter O’Neill officially launched the Review of the organic law on National and Local Level Government Elections today in Port Moresby.
Mr O’Neill when giving his speech said the review is important so that elections can be conducted in an orderly manner.
PM O’Neill said this review will be the first to be taken since the first elections conducted in 1964.
He added that in many occasions’ reports given by observers like the United Nations and others were never implemented by our Government.
“It’s about time we make this review for the benefit of our growing population as we look forward to the next elections.”
He said one of the reviews that the review team will be looking at is the voting system apart from the other 11 issues the Government had identified that needs to be reviewed.
Mr O’Neill stressed that the review will not be in favor of the present Government or political party but to allow for a transparent and orderly elections in the country.
The 12 issue items which the Government has identified, with the assistance of the PNG Electoral Commission and listed them for particular focus are:
- Electoral Boundaries;
- Electoral Roll system;
- Eligibility for nomination;
- Nomination fees;
- Voter identification system;
- Polling system, including polling periods and polling places;
- Voting system – LPV or first past the post
- LLG Elections
- Electoral offences
- Election petitions;
- Women and special group representation in Parliament; and
- Advance voting and postal voting
The Government also added another additional two issues which includes Powers, functions and structure of the Electoral Commission and Decentralization of election responsibilities.