More than 100 International Electoral Observers will be arriving in the country to support Papua New Guinea’s 2017 National Election.
International observers will arrive and depart at different times from May through to July. The sponsors of international observer teams - such as The Commonwealth, Australian National University and various diplomatic missions in Port Moresby- will be arranging their on logistics to cover the event.
A media statement issued by the United Nations Development programme (UNDP) on Sunday says more than 12 groups will be taking part in the 2017 National Elections Observer Mission.
UNDP is supporting the 2017 National Election in Papua New Guinea (PNG) by coordinating more than 100 International Electoral Observers.
However, in accordance with UN policy on electoral assistance, UNDP is not observing the elections and will not issue any statement on the elections or involve itself in the substance of any of the international observers’ work or statements.
However, UNDP is responding to a request from the PNG Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato, UNDP will coordinate international electoral observers from more than 12 groups including The Commonwealth, the Melanesian Spearhead Group, Australian National University, and the Australian High Commission and other diplomatic missions.
Roy Trivedy, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, welcomed the invitation by the PNG Electoral Commission to provide support to the election: “We’re delighted to be able to coordinate the presence of international election observers across the country to help ensure free and fair elections.
“These observers play a critical role in helping promote and protect the civil and political rights of participants in elections. They will help monitor things like freedom of movement and their presence will help to deter manipulation as well as strengthen reporting of such problems if they do occur,” Trivedy said.
UNDP will compile and distribute background information, organise briefings and training before the observers deploy, liaise with relevant authorities to make sure international observers get access to polling stations, facilitate their information requests, provide logistical support to the observers, and debrief them after the election.
Following the elections, observer groups will provide reports and recommendations to the Electoral Commission which could contribute to changes and improvements in national law and practice to improve the quality of future elections.
UNDP is the largest provider of electoral assistance in the UN system. It has been involved in supporting the electoral cycle in more than 58 countries and most recently in Papua New Guinea in Bougainville’s 2015 General Elections.
“The establishment of a strong and effective coordination mechanism for international observers is vital to build trust in the democratic process and enhance the legitimacy of the governments that emerge from elections,” Trivedy said.
“We hope our work will be an important contribution to the work of the Papua New Guinean authorities in conducting the 2017 national elections.”