Political parties that do not submit their financial returns by the 31st of October will be fined K5,000, according to the Registrar of Political Parties, Dr Alphonse Gelu.
Dr Gelu said this upon receiving acquittals from the PNG National Party after the 2017 National General Elections.
He said it is important for parties and winning candidates to submit their financial returns within three months after the date they were declared.
Gelu explains that this is a requirement under sections 88 and 89 of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates.
PNG National Party General Secretary, Dick Wama, presented the party’s national election report and acquittals on Friday to the Registrar of Political Parties.
PNG National Party had four winning candidates, of which two jumped ship to join the ruling party but overall, 80 percent finished in the top 5 in their respective races.
Dr Gelu says this requirement is part of strengthening the Organic Law and paves the way in planning for the next elections.
Dr Gelu concluded by saying out of 45 registered political parties, only eight have submitted their financial returns and a small political party such as the National Party looks promising.