Secret ballot to nominate alternative PM

The Opposition team is working on coming up with an alternative Prime Minister nominee following the withdrawal of Tari Pori MP James Marape’s nomination last week.

Leader Patrick Pruaitch said a secret ballot among the team of opposition MPs is an ideal way to select a consensus leader as their alternate Prime Minister. 

“Many Papua New Guineans are praying that the new coalition of like-minded leaders and political parties will forge a socio-political course that brings hope and new opportunities, including improved living conditions for the PNG people. 

“Among our group are several well-qualified, potential candidates for the position of PNG Prime Minister. They have honed their professional and cultural leadership skills and have the capacity to heal recent divisions and forge a brighter future for our people,” he said in a statement. 

Pruaitch who has been the Opposition Leader since the 2017 election, said the 63 MPs should all have a chance to vote for who they feel would be the best candidate to unite the new Coalition and be the next Prime Minister of our great nation. 

“The best and most democratic way of choosing the new Prime Minister would be through a secret ballot where all Members of Parliament in this group can vote for who they believe should be the country’s new consensus leader,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is confident the current government has another three years in office. “As you can see the coalition of leaders who have been with us in the past two years have agreed to a change of direction that the leadership of our government will now be handed over to Sir Julius Chan who is a veteran leader and one of the founding fathers of the nation.

“We will work with Sir Julius and his team and support a government that is going to continue to deliver for our people,” O’Neill said.

The Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is expected to hand in his resignation in coming days after announcing on Sunday he will step aside.

 

Author: 
Sally Pokiton