PNG 2017 National Elections

NCD Regional candidate box numbers

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/ncd-regional-candidate-box-numbers-57757

A total of 38 candidates are contesting the NCD Regional Seat, including sitting MP Powes Parkop.

New party wants to form new government

http://www.looppng.com/elections/new-party-wants-form-new-government-57766

Malabag is contesting under the Peoples National Congress Party and was escorted into the nomination venue by Prime Minister and PNC Party leader Peter O’Neill.

Malabag was also accompanied and supported by PNC candidates, sitting MP for Moresby South Justin Tkatchenko and sitting MP for Kundiawa- Gembogl Open Tobias Kulang.

Malabag called on the PNG Electoral Commission including the electoral commissioner, returning and polling officers to ensure that the elections are transparent and people have the opportunity and freedom to vote.

Nomination of candidates slow in capital

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/nomination-candidates-slow-capital-57236

Nominations are slowly coming in for intending candidates who will be contesting the Moresby North West seat, which is currently occupied by Michael Malabag.

Police operations on full alert

During Friday's nominations, the road blocks were set up in a way where vehicles moved in a one way in and one way out manner.

Officers on duty said so far, no major faults or incident in relations to the nominations have occurred.

Police are only controlling traffic at the main market area so supporters share a common a ground to campaign and support their candidates.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato made this announcement this afternoon, just after closing time at the Electoral Commission headquarters in Hohola, Port Moresby.

In an exclusive interview with Loop PNG, Commissioner Gamato said the extension was basically to give intending candidates and political parties time to go through the process and to return all the paper work on time.

Commissioner Gamato said there were electoral regulations in place for this to take place to collect election data.

New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan questioned the government’s proposal to increase the nomination fee, from K1000 to K10,000, during a media conference on Friday.

“What is the average income of Papua New Guinea? Is it K10,000?

“If you say that the average income is K4000 or K5000 then we are wiping out these people completely.

“When the masses are below an average income, and if you put it too high, then you are robbing them of an opportunity,” says Sir J.

Local level government ward councilor, Mathias Korima, claims the people from Long Island have been conned by intending candidates in the past. He does not want history to repeat itself.

Long Island, which falls under ward 32 in Saidor LLG of Rai Coast district, is a very isolated island that shares common borders with the Tewae-Siassi electorate in Morobe.

Korima said both the Madang regional and Rai Coast Open intending candidates should instead, share with the people their experiences and achievements.

The writs for the election will be issued on April 20 next year.

In a 2014 report, released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia’s assistance to PNG, to help it hold elections over the last decade, showed that elections in the country are one of the most expensive in the world.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato says with the trust account, there will be continuous work during the end of year holidays.

Previously, all funds were remitted back to Treasury at the end of each year and then released again at the start of the new year.

“The signatories to the trust account are myself and the Secretary for Finance,” said Gamato. 

“We will be managing the trust account and reporting to Government, so the election funds will be there so we will continue to work during Christmas (and) New Year, and even conduct elections in 2017.”