Candidate nomination fee for the 2017 National Elections is expected to be increased before Papua New Guineans go to the poll in eight months’ time.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill told Parliament today that the election cost is increasing yearly and the PNG Electoral Commission must find a way to help subsidize the cost. Increasing the nomination fees for candidates is an area the government is looking into.
“One way we can do that is increase the nomination fees, I think K1,000 for national elections is a bit too low. That money does not come to consolidated revenue, it goes straight into the EC account to meet some costs of running the elections in the country.
“Yes, I confirm that there is a comprehensive review on these issues and we will introduce necessary amendments in the next parliament sitting before we go for the 2017 elections,” O’Neill replied to questions from Mendi-Munhiu MP De Kewanu.
The Prime Minister added that the bond fees charged on plaintiffs in the elections court of appeal are also being reviewed because the current security bond of K5, 000 is too low.
Meanwhile, O’Neill told Parliament that the decision to change the dates of the Local Level Government elections is the prerogative of the Electoral Commissioner.
“(But) the Government had suggested to Electoral Commissioner that we delay the LLG election by one year so current councillors can serve their full term of the five years they are entitled to and also, councillors to vote for their LLG president.”
Parliament has been adjourned to Tuesday next week.