2017 National Elections

Madang recorded 14 female candidates, Morobe - 12, East Sepik - 11 and West Sepik - 5.           

According to statistics released by the PNG Electoral Commission, Usino-Bundi Open recorded four female candidates, Rai Coast Open and Bogia Open recorded three each, and one each for Madang Open, Madang Provincial, Middle Ramu Open and Sumkar Open.

Meanwhile, 270 candidates have nominated to stand for election in Madang. Below is the full listing.

BOGIA OPEN

Polye said the disruption at the PNC rally for EHP Governor Julie Soso speaks volumes.  

He challenged Prime Minister Peter O’Neill not to water down people’s anger.

“It is only a representation of common public resentment our people have had against him and his government,” said Polye.

“Their resentment will be translated into votes."

Meanwhile, PM O’Neill told Loop PNG that the disturbance was caused by a few people under the influence of alcohol.

“People sat down and listened for over 45 minutes of my speech.

Jiwaka Provincial Police Commander, Joseph Tondop, said people have become more aware and knowledgeable about the general elections compared with the past.

He said so far, apart from candidates campaigning in the province, they have not seen much activity with locals.

“Normal business continues and people have returned to their everyday routine.”

Tondop adds that with the limited resource that is available for police, he is still confident that his men will bring Jiwaka through the polling and declaration.

According to the Electoral Commission’s nominations list, 69 men will be contesting for the Kandrian-Gloucestor Open (17), Talasea Open (33) and the WNB Regional seat (16).

Looking to retain the seats after being declared in 2012 are Kandrian-Gloucestor MP, Joseph Lelang, Talasea Open MP, Francis Marus and WNB Regional MP, Sasindran Muthuvel.

Marus and Muthuvel are both running under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Party banner, while Lelang is with the Coalition for Reform Party (CRP).

No woman has nominated to contest in any of the seats.

Party leader and sitting Governor for the National Capital District, Powes Parkop, says they aim to address the economic situation that the country is facing with their economic policy plan.

Parkop highlighted that the economic situation includes unemployment, debt level, money supply among people and foreign exchange crises.

The Party policies include accelerating economic growth, lowering personal taxes, creating more local jobs, promoting tourism industries and building quality infrastructure and transport.

For the Abau Open seat, there are 24 candidates. The only female contesting is Judith Pauls Lapila.

The Goilala Open seat has 30 candidates; Matilda Tagu Koma is the lone female candidate.

To the Kairuku-Hiri Open, 27 candidates are in the race for the seat. There is also one female running - Parte Kwalimu.

Meanwhile, the Rigo Open seat has the highest number of candidates contesting (39); eight are women.

The Central Provincial seat has recorded 27 candidates, three are female.

Polling starts on June 24.

Avara Jack, from Vabukori village in the nation’s capital, nearly lost his life on Saturday, May 27, after police officers allegedly bashed him up and stabbed him in the back with a cracked bottle neck.

According to his father’s statement to the Royal PNG Constabulary, Avara was brutally assaulted just because he was in the company of someone (name withheld) who had yelled insulting remarks to a Minister during a political rally.

“The MP’s committee called the police to sort out the disturbance by this individual,” says Jack Rau.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato told Loop PNG today that police are still checking the materials confiscated.  

ENB Provincial Election Manager, Joap Voivoi, told Loop PNG that police investigation is still ongoing and the election materials confiscated are yet to be confirmed.

National Alliance Party General Secretary, Joyce Grant, said the report on social media of the party supporters detained with ballot papers was untrue.

“We do not print ballot papers,” Grant said.

Provincial Police Commander Robert Gesa told Loop PNG “there are no direct threats that may (raise) concern at this stage”.   

He confirmed that ballot papers for West Sepik Provincial, Aitape-Lumi, Nuku, Telefomin and Vanimo Green River Open seats were delivered to Vanimo on Saturday on board an Australian Defence Force Hercules plane.

PPC Gesa is optimistic polling for the province will be trouble free, like what had been experienced during the nomination and campaign period.

This is likely to stir up trouble among supporters in the province, says EHP police.

Apart from that, no major election related incidents have been reported.

Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Alex N’Drasell, said campaign period within the province has been running without much disruption.

EHP has been very peaceful, he says.

Election operations in the province have been running swiftly and according to expectations.