PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC)

Justice Panuel Mogish at 5.30pm on Thursday, July 6th, upheld an objection to competency on the election petition that was taken out by the lawyers for Kapavore and the PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC), as the second respondent in the matter.

Kapavore’s legal counsel, Sally Tadabe from Mel and Henry Lawyers, said the petition by the plaintiff was based on several grounds, including bribery.

However, only a small portion was given to the 21 provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

Morobe Province, being the largest in terms of landmass and population, received K5.4 million from the K460 million.

Chairman of the Special Parliamentary Committee on 2022 General Elections, Allan Bird, said NCD and Morobe received the largest chunk of the budget, with Bird outlining that K10 million in total was disbursed to these two areas.

Other provinces received smaller amounts, with Bird wondering where the remaining K450 million went.

The Committee was in Lae early this month to look into the conduct of the general election and how best to improve the processes for the next elections.

The predominant issue outlined by all participants were the electoral roll update – or lack of it – and the lack of transparency with election funding that was received by the PNG Electoral Commission.

Sinai made these comments after two of his official letters directing the Returning Officer for Wapenamanda Open Electorate to count the last ballot box for Tapend LLG ward was refused because there was a fake letter stopping them from counting the Tapend Box.

Commissioner Sinai said these impersonators and faceless individuals represent no one, and have no respect and heart for the work the Commission is doing to deliver the 2022 National General Elections. 

The PNGEC says the results website is a public information tool, it does not determine the outcome of an election.

“This results management system complements and reflects the paper results forms that are the legal record of the results, and are completed and signed at the counting centres by electoral officials and scrutineers,” PNG Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai said.

The PNGEC acknowledges that a notice was circulated claiming the results website was compromised.

Those are:

• Komo Hulia
• Koroba Kupiago
• Magarima
• Tari/Pori
• Hela Provincial
• Ialibu/Pangia
• Maprik
• Yangoru Saussia
• Huon Gulf
• Lae
• Pomio
• Rabaul
• Kavieng
• New Ireland Provincial
• Kiriwina-Goodenough

Sinai said the 21-day polling period specified in the electoral writs ended on Friday 22 July with polling completed in 21 provinces across the country. The only exception for polling is in parts of Enga.

TIPNG released a statement following the Electoral Commission’s announcement of postponing polling for NCD for a second time on Wednesday 6 July to Friday 8 July.

“It is the PNG Electoral Commission’s constitutional responsibility to deliver the National Elections and the PNGEC must be accountable for its actions, if the country is to avoid a declaration of failed elections, said Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) Board Chair, Peter Aitsi.

The candidates concerned are:

1. Ati Wobiro, Western Provincial Seat
2. James Yali, Madang Provincial Seat
3. Justin Parker, Anglimb South Wahgi Open Electorate

The Electoral Commission rejected these candidates nominations under section 103 of the Constitution from contesting the 2022 National General Elections.

He said when Parliament adopted the Electoral Boundaries Commission report in its last Parliament session in May and voted for creation of seven new electorates and have them certified to be included in the 2022 national elections, the ballot papers had already been printed based on the initial request to cover 111 electorates.

“Therefore, we had to seek Australia's assistance again through the Australian High Commission to cater for the increase in the number of Parliamentary seats and to reprint the ballot papers for seven affected electorates and seven new electorates.

International election observers have an important role in elections across the world as their observations improve the transparency and credibility of the electoral process.

The role of international election observers is to provide a comprehensive, independent and impartial assessment of all aspects of the electoral process.

PNG Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai, has accredited the international election observers who are part of the international election observation effort. All international election observers have received an identification card from the PNGEC.