Candidates

Boio Brand Morata completed his nominations requirements in the presence of the NCD Election Manager and Returning Officer, Kila Ralia, witnessed by his family, fellow indigenous landowners and longtime settlers of National Capital District.

Morata’s nomination at 2pm today was preceded by the nomination of former Minister for Health and HIV and former member for Moresby Northwest, Michael Malabag, who nominated at 11am.  The nomination brings the total candidates nominated for NCD Regional seat to 22.

This figure is a cumulative total from Thursday, May 19^th to Tuesday, May 24^th. Morobe Province had nine electorates until the recent split of Bulolo district, which will see candidates vying for the new Wau-Waria seat.

The Morobe seats in contention for the 2022 national general elections are: Morobe regional, Bulolo, Finschhafen, Huon Gulf, Kabwum, Lae, Markham, Menyamya, Nawaeb, Tewai-Siassi and Wau-Waria.

According to the Morobe Provincial Electoral Commission, Lae district nominations have been quiet and without much fanfare, compared to 2017.

Madang Provincial Police Commander Acting Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang called on the supporters, indenting candidates, and the people of Madang to respect one other during this important period.

PPC Rubiang specifically warned drivers who overload trucks during nomination and campaigning, that they will be arrested and charged for overloading. He said there had been reports of people overloading trucks, and disturbing the public. These activities will be carefully monitored.

He said police must draw the lines in between and leave politics to politicians while they provide policing services to the people of Jiwaka.

“We are approaching the Nomination period where intending candidates and current sitting members are starting to move their supporters here and there.

“Police function during this election is to make sure that free and fair election is conducted without corrupt practices.

The 12 candidates who have filed a proceeding in the National Court on July 13, 2017 returned to court today.

Their lawyer, Paul Othas told the court that they are pursuing the case because there are allegations of polling officials and scrutineers being excluded from the counting process currently underway at the Rita Flynn courts.  

As most of the provinces have gone into polling, he said rallies and the use of loudhailers must stop.

The use of flyers and posters, on the other hand, can remain.

By law, eight to 12 weeks of campaigning options were given in which the Electoral Commission went with the minimum, which was eight weeks of campaigning.

Social media is a new medium that has taken campaigning to a whole new level. And while there is no law regulating the use of this medium in the elections, Commissioner Gamato is asking for common sense to prevail.

Journalist in-charge of NBC Manus, Reilly Kanamon, was threatened on Monday afternoon outside his office over alleged rumours of seven ballot boxes being smuggled into the province.

Kanamon was confronted by two supporters of a candidate in the province and threatened to break open the NBC Manus office and beat all the staff.

This comes after speculations and rumours went viral on social media regarding the ballot papers.

However, Manus Police and Election officials ruled out those Facebook rumours on Monday.

Independent candidate Lanieth AUA will be challenging sitting Member for Gazelle and Deputy Prime Minister, Sir Leo Dion, along with 17 other candidates.

Kokopo Open MP Ereman ToBaining Jnr currently occupies the Governor seat.

Below is a list of candidates for the ENB provincial seat, provided by the PNG Electoral Commission:

Among them were 49 females.

Eight hundred and eighteen of these candidates are contesting as independent while 502 were affiliated to a party.

Eastern Highlands Province tops the list of candidates contesting with 396, followed by Chimbu (320), Enga (162), Jiwaka (136), Southern Highlands (117), Western Highlands (117) and Hela (92).

The lowest number of candidates contesting is from Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s electorate.

It has only 10 candidates putting their hand up to challenge the Prime Minister and leader of the People’s National Congress party.

PMV buses will now be issued temporary permits on a regular basis if their buses are to be used during the election period by candidates.

This action has been taken to limit the number of buses hired by candidates during the election period, resulting in transportation issues for the general public.

Road Traffic Authority CEO, Nelson Terema, said there have been recent accidents that could have been avoided if drivers had only followed traffic rules.