Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) has expressed great concern on the constitutionality of the reported deferral of the Local Level Government (LLG) Elections to April 2019.
It is TIPNG's view that the deferral of the LLG Elections is a breach of the constitution. Deferral of the LLG elections to hold them later is a complete denial of statutory and constitutional responsibilities which is not consistent with the leadership that the people of Papua New Guinea deserve.
The spirit of the constitution is that National & Local Elections should have concurrent terms.
TIPNG is seriously concerned that such a move to defer the LLG Elections sets a precedent and denies the people of Papua New Guinea the chance to exercise their democratic right to periodically elect their local level governments. Any dilution of this right, even if for pragmatic reasons, is unacceptable. The Government clearly knows when these elections are due and should prepare adequately for it.
“If the deferral was sought by Parliament, we (TIPNG) request bodies such as the Ombudsman Commission of PNG and Constitutional Law Reform Commission (CLRC) to protect our constitutional rights by seeking a Supreme Court Reference,” said Chairman of TIPNG, Lawrence Stephens.
TIPNG also calls on the Minister for Provincial & Local Level Government Affairs to clarify the status of incumbent councilors and presidents and how development grants will be disbursed given the reported status of LLG Elections.
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