nominations

PNG Sees Increase In Nominations

He said after checking through the nomination lists submitted by Returning Officers and Election Managers throughout the country, PNG EC confirmed 3499 nominations received compared to 3340 nominations in 2017.

"As of the close of nominations last Thursday, 19 May 2022 at 4pm, we have received in total 3499 nominations, an increase of 159 from the last election. Of the total 142 are female candidates and rest are males. The female candidate numbers have dropped from 167 in 2017,” Mr Sinai.

Number Of Candidates Increase In Polls

Although the Highlands region has the highest number of candidates, the Southern region has the highest number of candidates per seat, which perhaps reflects the fact that the Highlands has the most number of seats.

The Islands had the lowest average number of candidates per seat in all of PNG’s nine elections.

As the Islands is also the region with the lowest voter turnout, it is the region with the lowest political engagement, and this is still unclear why.

Seven Female Contest New Ireland Seats

Seventeen candidates are contesting the Kavieng Open seat, 19 for Namatanai Open seat, while 14 for the New Ireland Regional Seat.

Rhodie Paut-Nawara, running as an Independent candidate will contest the New Ireland Regional Seat.

Ruthy Watlen, Marianne Millie, Lucy Siki Aiyia, Rubbie Kerepa are all running as Independent candidates for Kavieng Open.

In the Namatanai Electorate, candidates Getrude Salir and Grace Nakamai are also contesting as Independent candidates.

Six Women To Contest ENB Seats

Six of the total nominees are women.

Lanieth Aua and Dulcie Kins, both independent candidates, are contesting the regional seat.

Three women are contesting the Gazelle Open seat. They are Theonila Watt running under Advance PNG Party, Kathleen Midal Kunai (Independent) and Magreth Sowa (Independent).

Cathleen Baragu is contesting the Kokopo Open seat under PNG One Nation Party
 

Elect A Good Leader

The nomination held over the past week has brought mixed feelings, new sentiments, a lot of hype, some celebrations and more is expected in the coming weeks.

Robert Midi, 22, from Hela Province was part of the crowd at Unagi Oval yesterday, witnessing nominations for Moresby Northeast and the last day of nomination nationwide.

The young man was among supporters of three different candidates, when he was approached to share his thoughts and views on the election.

Robert is witnessing for the first time the elections in the nation’s capital.

 

Mendi Welcomes O’Neill

He was welcomed into Mendi town yesterday by thousands at Momei Oval. Accompanying O’Neill were members of his Election team and the MP met with the people during a campaign rally.

O’Neill said Southern Highlands Province was blessed with an abundance of natural resources that can better the lives of the people. These resources need to be utilized to better the lives of the people and service delivery.

The province has around 450,000 young people under the age of 25 with 21,400 babies born each year.

Women Vie For Rigo Seat

Assistant Returning officer for Rigo, Murray Konido said the three women are Vitis Industries Managing Director, Vicky Mosin who is contesting under the Future of PNG Party banner and Miriam Walo and Journalist Melanie Vari, who are contesting as Independent candidates.

He said with the last day of nomination today, a few more candidates are expected to nominate before 4pm.

Morobe update: Over 70 nominate on day 6

Among the 78 that nominated for the 11 seats in Morobe were an additional three regional candidates, bringing the total number of regional candidates to 33, compared to only 25 in the 2017 general elections.

Former Bulolo MP, Samson Napo, has now raised his hand to contest the regional seat under the People’s Progress Party.

The 69-year-old, who is from Buang, contested for the Bulolo Open seat in the 2017 elections as an independent candidate.

Nominations progressing smoothly: Sinai

“Nominations are progressing well and we hope it will end on a high note tomorrow (May 26) with more candidates nominating before the close of nomination at 4pm,” said Sinai yesterday.

He said latest updates as off 10am today were about 1,295. The respective provincial electoral offices and districts have received nominations compiled.

Mr Sinai said six provinces including Eastern Highlands, Hela, East Sepik, Madang, Central and Autonomous Region of Bougainville have yet to send their candidate nomination updates by their respective Returning Officers (ROs).

NCD Regional seat nomination update

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.