Opposition leader Don Polye is claiming that the Government has been influencing the appointment of Electoral officers including Returning officers, election managers and polling clerks for the upcoming 2017 elections.
Polye claimed that Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has appointed people from his own tribe and province to execute decision on self-interest and not the people.
He gave an example as to the Deputy Electoral Commissioner who is in charge of the operations in the 2017 elections was from the PM’s electorate and province.
“PM putting his own man in the Electoral Commission is not a good decision.
“I am not questioning the qualification of that officer, nor his confidence but there is a shadow of doubt in the minds of Papua New Guineans that when such appointments were made, credibility and integrity will always be asked,” says Polye.
He said the appointment of such officers must be of merit and sincere and not of influence or favor.
He claimed that most of the appointments of the key office holders in the Electoral Commission has been also influenced by the People’s National Congress members of Parliament.
‘It is a threat to the integrity of the election in 2017.”
Polye called on O’Neill to allow the appointment of electoral officers to the Electoral Commissioner and not to be influenced by the government.
Meanwhile, Polye also called on international observers to come to PNG and observe the 2017 elections in the country.
“Democracy is becoming rare and rare these days. It is a commodity that we cannot afford to allow it to be deteriorated.
“Therefore, observers must observe and make recommendations for a fair and just elections in 2017.”