Political parties demand withdrawal of proposed increased nomination fees

General Secretaries and Presidents of more than 10 political parties have reached a Communique calling on the Government to reconsider the proposed amended nomination fees and the shortening of campaign period.

The party secretaries had a meeting on December 2 at the Office of the Registry of Political Parties and Candidate Commission and came up with the communique.

The meeting was chaired by Pangu Pati General Secretary Morris Tovebae.

In a press conference today in Port Moresby, Tovebae said the rights of the persons to contest to promote free, fair and safe 2017 National elections is being infringed with the proposed increase of the nomination fees.

He also pointed out that the short notice to citizens contesting in the 2017 elections through the proposed increase in nomination fees does not logically warrant for such an increase in the nomination fees.

He added that the timing is not right and must be move forward to 2022 given the economic crisis the country has been going through.

 Tovebae further reiterated that the 13 undersigned political parties called on the government to seriously look into this issues and withdraw the proposal.

The undersigned political parties include: Pangu Pati, Mapai Levites Party, Star Alliance Party, OUR Development Party, PNG Labour Party, Constitutional Democratic Party, Melanesian Liberal Party, National Conservative Party, Christian Democratic Party, Republican Party, Peoples Resources Awareness Party, Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party and PNG National Party.

 

Author: 
Freddy Mou