Former Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta nominated today as an independent candidate running for the Moresby North-West seat.
Sir Mekere will challenge sitting member of parliament Michael Malabag for the Moresby North-West electorate.
After his nomination, Sir Mekere announced that after retiring in 2012, he has decided to return to politics based on the widespread public support.
Sir Mekere has served as the 6th Prime Minister of PNG between 1999 and 2002, and later as Leader of the Opposition, among other positions.
He said that there has been widespread public support for him to use his experience and knowledge to help put PNG back on track, and help form the new Government that will act decisively to implement plans to rescue and rebuild the country.
“It appears to me and other like-minded people that there is a strong desire for change in PNG and I want to be part of that change.
“I want my vote in Parliament to be counted and I want to be part of the rescue team to reconstruct and lay the foundation for future growth and development.
“People are struggling with rising costs of goods and services and lack of jobs and are concerned about severe budget cuts to critical sectors such as health and education,” Sir Mekere said
Sir Mekere said many people point to systemic problems and the style of government, the weakening and politicisation of institutions of state, systems and processes, and a lack of respect for the rule of law.
He added that he had been urged to stand for election by many people from all walks of life who were concerned about the direction of the nation during the past five years, and its rapid fall into chaos.